- Chinese leader Xi Jinping presided over a major military parade in Beijing to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, emphasising a choice between peace and war, and dialogue over confrontation.
- The 90-minute parade showcased advanced military hardware, including hypersonic missiles, underwater drones, and a new intercontinental ballistic missile, with some items displayed publicly for the first time.
- Prominent foreign leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, attended the ceremony, watching from Tiananmen Gate alongside Xi.
- Donald Trump commented on social media, questioning whether China would acknowledge American contributions in the war and implying a conspiracy with Russia and North Korea against the United States.
- Domestically, the event served to demonstrate China's progress and military strength, bolster support for the Communist Party and Xi, and project China as a significant global power.
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