Beijing Stages Massive Military Parade on WWII 80th Anniversary, Xi Hosts Putin and Kim Amidst Global Scrutiny

Beijing, China – China today showcased its military might and diplomatic reach with a grand parade in the capital, marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. Chinese President Xi Jinping presided over the event, flanked by high-profile international guests including Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, whose rare foreign trip underscored the significance of the gathering.

The elaborate display of military hardware and marching troops in Tiananmen Square was attended by leaders from 26 nations and numerous other foreign representatives, signaling a clear show of solidarity among countries aligned with Beijing. Observers quickly noted the joint appearance of these leaders as a potent symbol of unity and a perceived challenge to the U.S.-led international order.

Notably absent were leaders from the United States, Western Europe, Japan, and India, with some nations like South Korea and Singapore sending only lower-level officials. However, President Xi’s extensive guest list highlighted China’s expanding influence, particularly within the Global South and other emerging economies.

Among the prominent attendees considered U.S. adversaries were Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, who joined Putin and Kim on the viewing platform. The animated interactions between Xi, Putin, and Kim, including Xi’s greeting to Kim, ‘Long time, no see,’ through an interpreter, reinforced the narrative of deepening alliances.

The majority of national leaders present hailed from Asia, including Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni, Vietnamese President Luong Cuong, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, and Myanmar’s military leader Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing. Central Asian nations were also well-represented, as were leaders from Pakistan, Nepal, the Maldives, Zimbabwe, the Republic of Congo, and Cuba, the sole attendee from the Americas.

While India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not attend, he posted warm messages on social media platform X about recent meetings with both Xi and Putin, indicating ongoing diplomatic engagement despite his absence from the parade. The guest list largely mirrored attendees of the recent Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit, further emphasizing the convergence of these nations.

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