China held its largest-ever military parade on Wednesday in Tiananmen Square, showcasing its expanding military power as President Xi Jinping welcomed world leaders including Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. The event, broadcast live by state media, marked the 80th anniversary of victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance.
The parade began with a volley of gun salutes, followed by marching formations, armored columns, aerial flyovers, and musical performances. China unveiled new-generation military technologies, including unmanned systems, cyber and electronic warfare tools, underwater combat equipment, hypersonic weapons, as well as drones, tanks, fighter jets, and missiles—all domestically produced. For the first time, the KJ-600 carrier-based early warning aircraft and the two-seat J-20S fighter jet were presented. Strategic nuclear deterrence capabilities and aerospace, cyberspace, and information support forces also made their debut.
World leaders in attendance included Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, among others. British commentator Martin Jacques emphasized that the parade serves as a reminder of China’s heavy sacrifices in World War II and as a warning against renewed aggression and extremism. He said the commemoration underlines the global majority’s stance against bullying and military adventurism.
