Xi Unites with Putin, Kim at Massive Chinese Military Showcase
China revealed its newest weapons at a military parade where Xi welcomed leaders who challenge the Western order as global tensions rise. President Xi Jinping warned that the world must choose “between peace or war”. The Victory Day parade celebrated the 80th anniversary of Japan’s World War II surrender and became one of China’s grandest military displays.
The historic gathering brought together almost two-dozen world leaders, with Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un making this the first gathering that ever spread between these three leaders. Western leaders stayed away from the ceremony, while China displayed its state-of-the-art weaponry. The parade featured hypersonic missiles, underwater drones, and a new nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missile. The attendees watched demonstrations of advanced military equipment that included a weaponized “robot wolf”, which demonstrated China’s expanding defense technology capabilities.
China puts military modernization on full display
Image Source: Yahoo News Canada
The Beijing military parade on September 3 showcased China’s modernizing armed forces. Over 10,000 troops marched with hundreds of advanced weapon systems. President Xi Jinping presided over this meticulously planned spectacle in Tiananmen Square for the third time—matching the combined total of his three predecessors.
Thousands of troops and advanced hardware showcased
An 80-gun artillery salute opened the parade to mark eight decades since Japan’s defeat in World War II. The event highlighted China’s growing ability to produce military equipment. Soldiers from various branches of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) marched in formation to display the nation’s military strength.
The most important displays included China’s nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missiles. The new Dong Feng-61, Dong Feng-31BJ, and Dong Feng 5C made their public debut. The DF-5C stood out with its estimated range of over 20,000 kilometers, improved defense penetration, and precision. Military analysts noted this missile can “place the entire globe under its strike range” and carry up to 12 warheads on a single missile.
New fourth-generation tanks and aerial formations
China unveiled its first fourth-generation main battle tank during the parade. The Type 100 tank marks a major technological leap with its unmanned turret and 105-millimeter-caliber gun. The tank has an active protection system that works with a quad-faced phased array radar for 360-degree threat detection. The radar spots incoming shells, rockets, or missiles and guides the protection system to fire mini-rockets that destroy threats at close range.
J-20 stealth fighters showed China’s aerial prowess in the sky. The formations had J-10 fighters, which Pakistan used against India during their four-day conflict in May. Z-20 utility helicopters carried the national flag while Z-10 attack helicopters flew alongside, creating a display that highlighted China’s growing air power.
AI and drone integration highlight future combat readiness
The parade’s focus on artificial intelligence and unmanned systems was remarkable. AI-powered drones, including the massive AJX-002 submarine drone spanning 20 meters, were on display. This unmanned underwater vehicle program leads the world with at least five distinct operational types.
Stealth attack drones called “loyal wingman” showed their ability to fly with manned fighter jets during attacks. Ground-based “robotic wolves” showed China’s work on systems for reconnaissance, mine sweeping, and possible enemy soldier hunting.
China’s military systems now tap into AI’s full potential to “not only increase, but replace traditional structures”. Military analyst Michael Raska points out that China learned from the Ukraine conflict about drones’ ability to wear down defenses. He adds: “China is very comfortable with that. They believe they can control AI. They are going all the way to integrate it into their systems”.
The parade showed China’s steadfast dedication to developing what its military calls “intelligentized warfare”. AI-driven systems take direct combat roles with minimal human oversight in this new approach.
Why Xi unites with Putin and Kim at this moment
Image Source: The Independent
China, Russia, and North Korea met at Beijing’s Victory Day parade to make a powerful diplomatic statement that carries deep geopolitical meaning. Recent changes in world politics—including Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and Donald Trump’s presidency—have brought these three authoritarian leaders closer together.
Shared opposition to Western-led global order
This three-way gathering in Beijing clearly challenges the U.S.-led international system that has shaped global affairs for decades. Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin, and Kim Jong-un share their rejection of Western influence, though each pursues their own national interests. Putin used the parade as a chance to show Russia’s power despite being isolated internationally over Ukraine. He praised the “unprecedentedly high relations” with China during talks with his “dear friend” Xi.
Kim Jong-un’s country has sent about 13,000 troops to help Russia’s war effort since October last year. He wants economic support and diplomatic recognition through this alliance. North Korea’s foreign policy now focuses on Russia. South Korean intelligence reports that roughly 15,000 troops went to Russia, and about 2,000 have died in the fighting.
Russia-North Korea-China alignment gains visibility
People often call this three-way relationship an “axis of upheaval”, but it has many complex layers and tensions. China supports Russia since the Ukraine invasion, but Beijing doesn’t feel comfortable with Moscow’s ongoing war and North Korea’s direct military involvement. China has always wanted regional stability and sees North Korea’s nuclear program and provocative actions as destabilizing.
These powers work together mainly for practical benefits, not shared beliefs. Russia’s struggles in Ukraine forced it to accept international isolation and team up with North Korea. They now trade military technology for troops and weapons. Beijing takes a more careful approach by keeping economic ties with Western nations and South Korea while supporting Russia through trade and energy purchases.
Xi’s vision of a multipolar world order
Xi keeps promoting “an equal and orderly multipolarisation of the world”. He wants China to lead a new global system. At the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit before the parade, Xi asked leaders to “seek integration, not decoupling” and “unequivocally oppose power politics”. Wang Yi, his foreign minister, clearly stated this would help end “the monopoly of global governance by some countries”.
These countries share anti-Western views, but four things make a strong alliance difficult. Russia risks losing decades of ties with South Korea through its military partnership with North Korea. China worries that supporting North Korean actions could start an arms race in Northeast Asia, create nuclear threats near Northeast China, and reduce chances to weaken U.S. alliances in the region.
Xi used the parade’s diplomatic staging to show Chinese leadership at this crucial time in global affairs. Beijing proved its position as the center of this authoritarian group, sending a clear message to Western leaders who now watch with “a mixture of curiosity and alarm”. Questions remain about how this “striking photo op will translate into action”, but the event clearly shows Xi’s plan to reshape international relations based on his vision of a multipolar world.
What the newest weapons reveal about China’s ambitions
Image Source: Army Technology
China’s military exhibition showed off several breakthrough weapons systems that reveal Beijing’s growing strength in strategic capabilities. The parade featured new technologies designed to challenge Western military power from deep space to the ocean depths.
Dongfeng-61 and DF-31BJ nuclear missiles debut
The Dongfeng-61 intercontinental ballistic missile made its first public appearance, marking a major step forward in China’s nuclear deterrence capabilities. Military experts say this missile comes with a hypersonic glide vehicle that moves during flight, making it very hard for current missile defense systems to catch. The upgraded DF-31BJ ICBM showed better range and multiple independently targetable reentry vehicle (MIRV) technology that lets a single missile hit multiple targets.
The DF-5C missile system shown at the parade now carries up to 12 warheads on one missile with a range of over 20,000 kilometers. This puts “the entire globe under its strike range.” Better defense penetration and precision in the missile show China’s dedication to keeping credible nuclear deterrence against advanced missile defense systems.
YJ-class hypersonic missiles threaten naval dominance
The YJ-21 “Eagle Strike” hypersonic anti-ship missile directly challenges U.S. naval power in the Pacific region. These weapons fly faster than Mach 5 and could overwhelm ship-based defensive systems. Military analysts believe these missiles might change the power balance in possible Taiwan Strait or South China Sea conflicts.
China also showed a new type of submarine-launched anti-ship missile that points to stronger undersea strike power. These new weapons match China’s growing blue-water navy and show Beijing’s push to control sea routes near what it sees as its territory.
HQ-29 space defense system targets satellites
The HQ-29 anti-satellite system reveals China’s growing strength in space warfare. This system can target satellites in low-earth orbit and might threaten the space-based networks that Western military operations rely on.
China’s quick progress in anti-satellite weapons shows it sees space as a key military frontier. These weapons, combined with China’s space exploration and satellite achievements, show Beijing wants to match U.S. military power across land, sea, air, cyber, and space. This creates a complete deterrent against potential enemies and supports its goal of a multipolar world order.
How the parade reflects internal and external strategy
Image Source: Yahoo News Canada
China’s Victory Day parade goes way beyond just showing off weapons and marching troops. The spectacle reveals Xi Jinping’s sophisticated methods of internal control and his desire to project power globally.
Anti-corruption purges reshape PLA leadership
Xi has dismissed more than a dozen generals in the last two years, including many who were once close allies, as part of an aggressive anti-corruption campaign. The changes have left the Central Military Commission with just three out of six uniformed military positions filled. The purge didn’t spare even Xi’s own appointees like Miao Hua, who led the Political Work Department. This marks Xi’s second military cleanup since taking power in 2012.
Foreign policy analyst Jon Czin puts it this way: “The parade allows Xi to focus the world’s attention on impressive strides in modernizing military hardware, yet overshadowing stubborn challenges afflicting the PLA, especially continued purges rolling through senior officer ranks”. These dismissals show Xi’s push for complete loyalty as the PLA readies itself for possible conflicts.
Parade used to inspire national pride and unity
The grand ceremony plays a crucial role at home by encouraging patriotism among Chinese citizens. Xi declared the “rejuvenation of the Chinese nation unstoppable” in his keynote speech. The CCP uses such pageantry to justify its authoritarian control whenever it needs to reinforce historical narratives.
Naval studies fellow Jennifer Parker states: “You don’t do a parade like this to commemorate World War II. You do it to show force”. Experts point out that Xi promotes a historical perspective that downplays uncomfortable facts.
Schools and companies mandated to watch event
Chinese civil servants had to watch the parade and write reflections afterward. Schools across the country hosted viewing parties as part of patriotic education. Students gathered at universities and colleges to watch state media coverage. Both private companies and state-linked industry groups participated in this nationwide viewing.
Beijing strengthened the parade’s role as a tool for internal influence and external power projection by passing a law in 2023 that requires patriotic education in all schools.
What’s next for China’s global military posture?
Image Source: RAND
China’s grand military parade marks a turning point in its military strategy. Military experts believe this Beijing showcase goes beyond displaying hardware and points to the nation’s expanding global influence.
Potential trilateral defense cooperation with Russia and North Korea
Diplomatic moves suggest these three powers might work more closely on military matters. The partnership faces major hurdles because China hesitates to fully support North Korea’s nuclear program. Joint military exercises and intelligence sharing could increase in the coming months, with possible naval drills in disputed waters.
Implications for Taiwan and South China Sea
The new weapons systems boost China’s ability to conduct operations against Taiwan. Taipei’s military strategists will likely speed up their defensive preparations to counter Beijing’s growing military might. China’s expanding submarine fleet and anti-ship missiles make it harder for Western navies to conduct freedom of navigation operations in the South China Sea.
Analysts warn of new Cold War dynamics
Security experts see these developments as signs of emerging power blocs. Western nations might respond by strengthening military ties with Indo-Pacific partners, which could push China to develop more military capabilities. The risk of conflict increases as countries rush to deploy advanced weapons without proper communication channels or transparency.
The China’s Victory Day parade marked a defining moment that changed global power dynamics. Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin, and Kim Jong-un’s unprecedented gathering showed a growing authoritarian alliance ready to challenge Western dominance. Their historic union, along with China’s display of advanced weaponry, revealed Beijing’s push to alter international relations through its multipolar vision.
The parade achieved multiple strategic goals at once. China showcased its impressive military modernization through advanced technologies like hypersonic missiles, AI-powered drones, and next-generation nuclear weapons. On top of that, it served as a carefully arranged event that strengthened Xi’s internal control while showing external power – crucial during his ongoing purges of military leadership.
Western leaders stayed away from the ceremony, but their absence only emphasized China’s growing influence among nations looking for alternatives to U.S.-led systems. Almost two dozen world leaders attended, which proved this point clearly.
Questions linger about this alliance’s future direction. These three nations share anti-Western views, but China, Russia, and North Korea have their own national interests that might prevent closer ties. Of course, their public unity makes Western security planning more complicated, especially for Taiwan, Ukraine, and the Korean Peninsula.
Chinese military systems now powered by artificial intelligence might be the most important development. Western nations still debate ethical issues, while China moves forward with “intelligentized warfare” where AI systems make combat decisions with minimal human input.
This military display ended up reflecting Xi’s two main goals: building domestic support through nationalist pride and gaining international status as America’s equal. Nobody knows if this three-way relationship will lead to formal defense agreements. The global security landscape has entered a new, more complex phase where traditional Western military advantages face new challenges from this emerging alliance.
