By Ephraim Agbo
On 3 September 2025, Beijing staged one of the most consequential public rituals of Xi Jinping’s era — a massive military parade at Tiananmen Square to mark the 80th anniversary of Japan’s surrender in World War II. What began as a solemn act of national remembrance quickly doubled as geopolitical theater: Xi stood flanked by Russia’s Vladimir Putin and North Korea’s Kim Jong-un, new-generation weapons were paraded through the square, and dozens of foreign leaders watched from the reviewing stand. The spectacle was part history, part domestic nationalism and part deliberate signalling to Washington and regional neighbours.
The choreography: what happened, who was there
The event was tightly scripted. Troops marched in precision formations, an aerial flypast traced geometric patterns over the square, and columns of armoured vehicles and new missiles rolled past Mao’s portrait. Chinese state media and international outlets documented advanced systems — from autonomous underwater vehicles and drone formations to hypersonic-capable missiles reportedly on display.
The guest list sent its own message. Putin and Kim — both politically controversial in the West — occupied places of honour beside Xi. Reuters and other outlets reported more than two dozen foreign heads of state or government in attendance, including leaders from countries often framed as strategic partners of Beijing.
Shortly after the parade, bilateral talks took place on the sidelines: Putin and Kim met in Beijing, a meeting that state and international media characterized as both pragmatic and symbolic given Moscow’s needs and Pyongyang’s growing regional role.
Two linked narratives: memory and might
China’s official account of the event was anchored in historical memory. The Communist Party emphasised China’s wartime suffering and sacrifice — a narrative that has been central to modern Chinese identity and to the party’s claim to legitimacy. For many in China, the parade was therefore a solemn commemoration.
But that historical narrative sat beside a second, more contemporary story: the modernisation of China’s armed forces and its arrival as a peer competitor to the United States in multiple domains (missile technology, autonomous systems, and air power). Displaying new hardware at a wartime commemoration meant the pageant doubled as a demonstration of capability and intent — a reminder that the past is invoked to legitimate present strength.
What the kit on show tells us
Public parades are marketing for militaries. They’re not perfect technical assessments, but they reveal priorities. The items highlighted by multiple news organisations — long-range ballistic systems (including reports of the DF-61 ICBM variants), hypersonic-capable deliveries, swarms of drones, and underwater autonomous vehicles — point to China investing heavily in stand-off strike, anti-access/area-denial (A2/AD) capabilities, and asymmetric systems that complicate U.S. force projection. Defence analysts said the parade offered a rare opportunity to see how China is catching up to certain U.S. capabilities in specific niches.
Diplomatic theatre: choice of guests and the message to Washington
Xi’s decision to flank himself with Putin and Kim was unambiguous diplomatic theatre. Both men carry political costs in Western capitals: Putin for the invasion of Ukraine and Kim for nuclear posturing and isolation. Their prominent placement signalled a willingness by Beijing to visibly associate with partners who challenge Western norms — and to show that China has alternatives to a U.S.-centric order. Coverage noted that many Western leaders stayed away, highlighting the diplomatic split.
The message was amplified by reactions in Washington. President Donald Trump and others framed the gathering as a potential bloc or axis of rivalry against the U.S.; Chinese officials framed the event as a call for peace through strength and an assertion that no country should be “bullied.” The juxtaposition — public talk of peace while parading destructive power — is a classic element of strategic signalling.
Regional implications — Taiwan, East Asia and the Indo-Pacific
One immediate read is that the parade was also directed at Beijing’s regional audience. Xi reiterated claims over Taiwan in his remarks and the display of long-range and precision systems underscores Beijing’s capacity to threaten or coerce across the Taiwan Strait. Neighbouring governments and U.S. allies will read the events as a reminder to recalibrate deterrence and diplomatic approaches — a point highlighted by analysts and regional officials in post-parade coverage.
For smaller countries in Southeast and East Asia, the image of major authoritarian leaders on display together raises questions: do they engage with Beijing to protect economic and security interests, or distance themselves to remain aligned with democratic partners? Several coverage pieces noted the careful balancing acts that countries faced when deciding whether to send representatives.
Domestic politics: nationalism, legitimacy and the CCP’s script
Domestically, the parade bolsters a central pillar of Xi’s governance: nationalist legitimacy. By recasting historical grievances and wartime sacrifice as evidence that China must never be weak again, the leadership consolidates support for continued military spending and assertive diplomacy. This is particularly potent in an environment where the party tightly controls the narrative and public spaces of memory. Analysts in Western outlets have long argued that such events help solder domestic consent for policies that would otherwise be contentious.
How to read the choreography: three possible interpretations
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Signalling and hedging: Beijing wants to show it has alternatives — strong ties to Russia and North Korea — while leaving the door open to pragmatic engagement with the U.S. Coverage indicates China is not closing off diplomacy but is keen to gain bargaining leverage.
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Domestic mobilization: The parade is aimed primarily at a Chinese audience, consolidating a narrative of resilience and rejuvenation that underpins Xi’s long-term political project.
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Alliance signalling: The visible proximity of Putin and Kim suggests a tighter political alignment among revanchist or revisionist powers — a warning to adversaries and reassurance to partners that Beijing can supply diplomatic cover and economic lifelines. Coverage of Putin-Kim talks in Beijing gives weight to that reading.
Reactions and risks
Western governments and media largely framed the parade as an assertive display. Taiwan’s leaders emphasised peace and democracy; some Southeast Asian voices expressed concern about regional intimidation; commentators in the U.S. warned about a shifting balance of influence. At the same time, countries with strained relations with the West — Iran, Belarus, and several others — sent delegations, showing Beijing’s ability to convene a diverse set of partners.
Risks are real: signalling can escalate misperception, and displays of capability can trigger acceleration in arms programmes elsewhere. Additionally, the explicit pairing of historical commemoration with current power posturing opens Beijing to accusations of rewriting history for political ends — a charge that will complicate its soft-power arguments.
What to watch next
- Diplomatic follow-ups: bilateral meetings (notably Putin-Kim outcomes) and any security or energy deals announced in their wake.
- Military publications and think-tank readouts that analyse the specific systems shown — they’ll give substance to how much of the parade was theater versus genuine operational advancement.
- Regional policy moves by the U.S., Japan, Australia and ASEAN states — adjustments in deployments, exercises, and diplomatic outreach will indicate how the parade affected perceptions.
Final Take
Beijing’s 80th-anniversary parade was not a simple act of remembrance. It was a tightly choreographed performance with multiple audiences — domestic, regional and global. By combining memory with modern military capability and the conspicuous presence of Moscow and Pyongyang, China managed a rare piece of diplomatic theatre that both reassured friends and challenged rivals. How the U.S. and its partners respond — diplomatically, economically and militarily — will be the next chapter in how this moment reshapes the balance of influence in the Indo-Pacific.
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