China is hosting a massive military parade in Beijing to mark the 80th anniversary since Japan’s defeat and the end of World War Two.
Xi Jinping arrived flanked by his Russian and North Korean counterparts on Wednesday morning for the start of the parade, which began with choir performances at around 8.45am.
Xi, Putin and Kim took centre stage at the parade on Wednesday, where the Chinese president is flaunting his vision for a new global order following global friction caused by US president Donald Trump's tariff policies.
Xi began the parade with a speech in which he said China “firmly stands on the right side of history”.
After recalling the events of 1945, the Chinese president warned: “Today humanity again has to choose between peace and war.”
Putin and Xi met earlier for talks, securing a new long-term gas deal, while Kim arrived by armoured train after visiting a missile lab.
Analysts are watching out for an announcement on potential trilateral defence cooperation. Russia and North Korea signed a military pact in June 2024, and a similar alliance was struck between Beijing and Pyongyang.
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Key Points
- China's largest-ever military parade begins with 80-gun salute
- Xi Jinping arrives flanked by Putin and Kim for start of parade
- Parade begins at 9am Beijing time after choir performance
- Military show of force commemorates 80th anniversary of end of WW2
- Trump says he is 'not concerned'
Donald Trump sends regards to 'conspiring' Xi, Putin and Kim
02:36
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Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
The US president wrote on Truth Social: "The big question to be answered is whether or not President Xi of China will mention the massive amount of support and “blood” that The United States of America gave to China in order to help it to secure its FREEDOM from a very unfriendly foreign invader.
"Many Americans died in China’s quest for Victory and Glory. I hope that they are rightfully Honored and Remembered for their Bravery and Sacrifice!"
"May President Xi and the wonderful people of China have a great and lasting day of celebration. Please give my warmest regards to Vladimir Putin, and Kim Jong Un, as you conspire against The United States of America."
In pics: Xi Jinping is now greeting troops during inspection
02:27
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Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
President Xi says 'China is never intimidated by any bullies'
02:20
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Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
President Xi says the world is "facing a choice of peace or war".
He adds: "Chinese people firmly stand on the right side of history".
"We will remain committed to the path of peaceful development. The Chinese People's Liberation Army has been and will always be the heroic armed forces that the people can trust and rely on.”
Mr Xi calls on nations to prevent historical tragedies from recurring.
He adds: “The Chinese nation is never intimidated by any bullies and always forges ahead."
In pic: President Xi Jinping begins his speech by welcoming foreign leaders
02:11
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Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
Chinese president Xi Jinping began his speech by welcoming the world leaders and expressing “sincere thanks to foreign governments, friends and comrades, who supported the Chinese people in resisting aggression”.
China's largest-ever military parade begins with 80-gun salute
02:03
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Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
China has kicked off its largest-ever military parade, showcasing its growing firepower and geopolitical clout, as president Xi Jinping seeks to cast Beijing as the custodian of a post-US international order.
Flanked by Russia's Vladimir Putin and North Korea's Kim Jong Un, Mr Xi was shown on television strolling up a red carpet to take his seat for the lavish event at Tiananmen Square to mark 80 years since Japan's defeat at the end of World War Two.
Wearing a suit in the style of those worn by former leader Mao Zedong, Mr Xi earlier greeted around two dozen largely non-western leaders in attendance, including Indonesia's Prabowo Subianto, who made a surprise appearance despite widespread protests at home.
The anticipated parade began with 80-gun salutes to commemorate 80 years of Japan’s defeat and the end of World War Two.
How Asian alliances have shifted over the last 80 years
02:00
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Steffie Banatvala
In the 1940s, the United States, China, and other allies pushed back Japan’s military expansion in Asia.
Eighty years later, the U.S. and Japan are allies confronting China - growing stronger and more assertive.
China is now the bully in the South China Sea for neighbours like Taiwan and the Philippines.
Sea of red as president Xi and world leaders appear at rostrum of Tiananmen Square
01:57
,
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
President Xi greets war veterans
01:54
,
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
Chinese president Xi Jinping has arrived at Tiananmen Square along with Russian leader Vladimir Putin and North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un.
Upon arrival, Mr Xi shook hands with war veterans attending the victory day commemorations.
He was shown saying "Nice to meet you" and "Welcome to China" in English.
In pic: Parade begins with a choir performance
01:50
,
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
In pic: President Xi, Russia's Putin and North Korea's Kim Jong Un arrive at Tiananmen Square
01:44
,
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
Wartime history has risen in importance under Xi
01:30
,
Steffie Banatvala
Since coming to power in 2012, Xi has focused on making China strong and resistant to foreign pressure, even forcing the US to scale back new tariffs this year.
In 2014, China declared September 3, the day after Japan formally surrendered, as Victory Day and the following year held its first military parade on that date.
Party historians see Japan’s defeat as a turning point that helped China recover and rebuild.
According to Wang Junwei, a historian at the Institute of Party History and Literature, the victory transformed the nation from deep crisis toward great rejuvenation.
Pictures: Aircraft fly in formation during a flypast rehearsal
01:00
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Steffie Banatvala
Xi to host gala after WWII anniversary parade in Beijing
Wednesday 3 September 2025 00:00
,
Steffie Banatvala
Xi is set to host a gala for foreign leaders following a military parade to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of World War Two.
The even is expected to start around 11.45 GMT.
Run-up to the parade: re-capped
Tuesday 2 September 2025 23:30
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Steffie Banatvala
- Xi met with Putin and Kim Jong Un in Beijing, showing unity among countries isolated by the West over the Ukraine war.
- Xi criticized US dominance at a SCO summit, urging opposition to “hegemonism and power politics.”
- The Chinese leader also met with India’s Modi, whose Russian oil imports have drawn Trump’s criticism.
- Trump’s Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent dismissed the summit as “performative” and accused China and India of helping fund Russia’s war.
- Russia’s Gazprom and the China National Petroleum Corporation signed a long-term gas supply deal, including plans for a new pipeline.
Pictures: People's Liberation Army soldiers train for the military parade
Tuesday 2 September 2025 23:00
,
Steffie Banatvala
Security measures paralyse Beijing in preparation for 50,000 spectators
Tuesday 2 September 2025 22:30
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Steffie Banatvala
Painstaking planning has also gone into China's "Victory Day" parade, marking 80 years since Japan's defeat at the end of World War Two, with downtown Beijing paralysed by security measures and traffic controls for weeks.
Alongside the showcase of cutting-edge military hardware in front of an estimated 50,000 spectators, authorities plan to release more than 80,000 "peace doves" during the event.
Trump says he is 'not concerned' by Putin and Kim Jong-Un attending China military parade
Tuesday 2 September 2025 22:19
,
Rebecca Whittaker
US president Donald Trump was asked by a reporter during a press conference at the White House if he interpreted Putin attending China’s military parade as a “challenge”.
He responded that he did not see it as a challenge and that he was not concerned.
“China needs us. And I had a very good meeting with President Putin a couple of weeks ago,” he told reporters.
Reporter: China is having a military parade that Putin and Kim Jong-Un will be attending. Do you interpret that as a challenge?
— Acyn (@Acyn) September 2, 2025
Trump: No
Reporter: Are you concerned about those countries—
Trump: No. China needs us. And I had a very good meeting with President Putin a couple… pic.twitter.com/AabKShdqAz
Pictures: Flyover rehearsal for the parade
Tuesday 2 September 2025 22:00
,
Steffie Banatvala
How closer ties between Xi, Putin and Kim may change military calculus in the Pacific?
Tuesday 2 September 2025 21:30
,
Steffie Banatvala
Xi, Putin and Kim are set to take centre stage at a massive military parade.
Analysts are watching whether the trio may signal closer defence relations following a pact signed by Russia and North Korea in June 2024, and a similar alliance between Beijing and Pyongyang, an outcome that may alter the military calculus in the Asia-Pacific region.
"Trilateral military exercises between Russia, China and North Korea seem nearly inevitable," wrote Youngjun Kim, an analyst at the US-based National Bureau of Asian Research, in March, citing how the conflict in Ukraine had pushed Moscow and Pyongyang closer.
"Until a few years ago, China and Russia were important partners in imposing international sanctions on North Korea for its nuclear and missile tests... (they) are now potential military partners of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea during a crisis on the Korean peninsula," he added, using the diplomatically isolated country's official name.
What role does North Korea's military play in Ukraine?
Tuesday 2 September 2025 21:00
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Steffie Banatvala
North Korea has supplied more than 15,000 troops to support Putin's war in Ukraine.
About 600 North Korean soldiers have been killed fighting for Russia in the Kursk region, according to South Korea's intelligence agency, which believes Pyongyang is planning another deployment.
For Kim, the parade will mark the largest multilateral diplomatic event he has ever attended, offering the reclusive young leader an opportunity to gain implicit support for his banned nuclear weapons, and expand his diplomatic circle.
