China on Wednesday staged a massive military parade in Beijing to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, showcasing its most advanced weapons and reaffirming its global ambitions.
President Xi Jinping presided over the event in Tiananmen Square, declaring that China’s “national rejuvenation is unstoppable” and warning the international community of choices between “peace or war, dialogue or confrontation.”
The parade featured hypersonic missiles, AI-powered tanks, stealth drones, and cyber warfare units, along with aerial formations and symbolic displays. Helicopters formed the number “80” in the sky, and 80,000 doves were released to mark the historic occasion.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un joined Xi on the viewing platform, alongside leaders from more than 20 other countries. Western leaders were notably absent, underscoring deepening geopolitical divides.
The 90-minute spectacle was seen as both a commemoration and a signal. Analysts said it aimed to rally domestic support for the Communist Party while projecting China’s military strength abroad. Critics, however, noted that many of the showcased systems remain untested, and pointed to China’s economic challenges, including high youth unemployment and a troubled property sector.
The United States dismissed the event as political theater, with sharp criticism also coming from Taiwan, which accused Beijing of distorting history for propaganda.
For China, the parade was more than a show of force. It was a statement of intent, underlining its role as a rising power on the global stage.
