On September 3, 2025, the heart of Beijing pulsed with the thunder of marching boots, the roar of jet engines, and the spectacle of military might as China staged one of its largest ever military parades in Tiananmen Square. This year’s event, commemorating the 80th anniversary of Japan’s defeat in World War II, was not just a display of national pride—it became the stage for a historic and highly symbolic gathering of world leaders who are challenging the status quo of global power.
For the first time, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un stood together in public, flanked by a sea of dignitaries from across Asia, Africa, and Europe. Among those present were Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico, Belarus’ Alexander Lukashenko, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Vietnam’s President Luong Cuong, Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian, Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vucic, and Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa. The sheer diversity and number of attendees underscored the event’s global significance.
The parade itself was a breathtaking display. Over 10,000 troops marched in perfect formation, their movements synchronized with the mechanical precision of hundreds of advanced military vehicles. The skies above Beijing filled with military aircraft and helicopters, thrilling crowds gathered far beyond the event’s tight security perimeter. According to CNN, the parade featured the unveiling of new Chinese weaponry, including a laser weapon mounted on a military vehicle—a clear message to the world of China’s rapidly advancing military technology.
Presiding over the spectacle, Xi Jinping declared, “China’s rise is unstoppable,” a sentiment echoed in the mood of the day. As reported by BBC, the event was more than a commemoration; it was a carefully choreographed assertion of China’s growing power and its ambition to reshape the global order. The presence of Putin and Kim Jong Un, both standing shoulder to shoulder with Xi, sent a defiant signal to the US and its allies.
For many in attendance and watching around the world, the symbolism was impossible to miss. As CNN noted, the trio’s unity was a direct challenge to the US-led world order—a message amplified by the backdrop of deepening military and economic cooperation among their countries. This show of strength comes at a time when the world is witnessing its fastest rate of military buildup since the end of the Cold War, with major conflicts raging in Ukraine and Gaza, and tensions escalating from Europe to Asia.
The day’s events were not without controversy. Former US President Donald Trump, watching from afar, accused China, Russia, and North Korea of conspiring against the US. In a post on Truth Social, Trump expressed outrage at the spectacle, suggesting that the gathering was a personal affront and a warning to the US. Despite his previous attempts to cultivate relationships with both Putin and Kim, Trump’s efforts have done little to disrupt the so-called “no limits” partnership between Russia and China, nor to sway North Korea’s loyalty. As CNN pointed out, the image of the three leaders together was a powerful propaganda weapon—aimed as much at their own citizens as at the wider world.
Behind the scenes, Putin and Kim Jong Un held formal talks at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing. Russian state media TASS reported that the two leaders discussed their partnership, with Putin praising North Korean troops who have fought for Russia in its war against Ukraine. “Your special forces took part in the liberation of the Kursk region,” Putin told Kim, acknowledging North Korea’s direct support on the battlefield. Kim responded warmly, stating, “If there is anything to be done for Russia and its people going forward, we will regard it as our duty as brothers, and are prepared to give our full support.”
The North Korean delegation was a family affair, with Kim’s powerful sister, Kim Yo Jong, spotted at the reception following the parade. Photos showed her seated in the Great Hall of the People, a reminder of her rising influence within the regime. Kim’s daughter, Kim Ju Ae, was also seen arriving in Beijing, according to North Korean state media KCNA, underscoring the dynastic nature of North Korea’s leadership.
Pakistan’s presence was notable as well. Field Marshal Asim Munir, who was promoted after Pakistan’s use of Chinese J-10C fighter jets in a brief conflict with India in May 2025, attended the parade alongside Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. China’s “iron brotherhood” with Pakistan remains strong, with China supplying 81% of Pakistan’s imported weapons over the last five years, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. Pakistan’s delicate balancing act between its old ally the US and its steadfast neighbor China was on full display, with Munir likely to play a pivotal role in shaping the country’s future alliances.
The parade also served as a showcase for China’s military modernization. Retired Australian Army Major General Mick Ryan told CNN that China is “very technologically sophisticated… but most importantly, it just about builds everything it needs indigenously.” This independence, he argued, means China cannot be easily coerced by foreign weapon suppliers in the event of conflict. However, he noted that none of the weapons on display had been tested in real combat, highlighting a key difference between China’s arsenal and that of the US, which remains the world’s strongest military power.
China’s military spending reached an estimated $314 billion in 2024, just under a third of the US total, but enough to make Beijing the world’s second-largest military spender. Together, the US and China accounted for nearly half of global military expenditure last year. Despite its growing arsenal, China’s share of global arms exports remains modest at 5.9% between 2020-2024, though it is a major supplier to countries like Pakistan.
Amid the military theatrics, the event’s culinary offerings were equally grand. Guests enjoyed a menu blending Chinese tradition with international flavors, including chicken soup with conch meat and lily bulbs, roasted lamb chops, stir-fried lobster, and mango mousse cake, all paired with wines from Hebei province, according to Hong Kong’s Wen Wei Po.
Japan, meanwhile, responded to the parade with a reaffirmation of its postwar commitment to peace. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi stated that Japan has “consistently followed the path of a peaceful nation,” even as Tokyo ramps up its defense spending and capabilities in response to China’s assertiveness in the region.
This year’s parade marked the third time Xi Jinping has presided over such an event in Tiananmen Square, equaling the combined total of his three immediate predecessors. The only Chinese leader to have staged more was Mao Zedong, who oversaw 11 consecutive National Day parades. Xi has forged his own tradition by designating September 3 as a day of national commemoration and by using these parades to project China’s ambition on the world stage.
As tanks rolled by and jets streaked overhead, the world watched a new axis of power take shape in Beijing—one that promises to reshape alliances and rivalries for years to come.