China Showcases Military Strength at WWII Anniversary Parade/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ China staged a massive military parade in Beijing to mark the 80th anniversary of World War II’s end, highlighting drones, hypersonic missiles, and new intercontinental weapons. President Xi Jinping praised China’s wartime sacrifices and pledged strength against foreign pressure. The event drew global attention as Xi stood alongside Russia’s Vladimir Putin and North Korea’s Kim Jong Un.
China’s WWII Parade Quick Looks
- Parade marked 80 years since the end of WWII
- Xi Jinping vowed China would never be bullied again
- Hypersonic missiles, underwater drones, and ICBMs displayed
- Putin and Kim attended, sparking U.S. and Philippine concern
- Trump mocked the gathering of Xi, Putin, and Kim
- PLA troops marched, helicopters formed the number “80”
- Xi tied military strength to Taiwan sovereignty claims
- Taiwan’s William Lai stressed peace and democracy in response
- Philippine Defense Secretary warned of “intimidation” by authoritarian leaders
- Analysts say China is seizing opportunity amid global uncertainty
Deep Look
China Marks WWII Anniversary With Military Show of Force
BEIJING — China staged a grand military parade Wednesday to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, an event that mixed patriotic remembrance with a bold demonstration of military strength. President Xi Jinping, addressing veterans and foreign dignitaries, framed the celebration as proof of China’s resilience and growing global role.
“The Chinese people are not afraid of violence and are self-reliant and strong,” Xi declared before reviewing troops and advanced weaponry. He pledged that China’s “rejuvenation cannot be blocked,” casting his leadership as central to the nation’s security and influence.
Modern Weapons on Full Display
The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) showcased a wide array of cutting-edge systems:
- AJX002 underwater drone resembling a slim submarine, designed for naval operations.
- Hypersonic anti-ship missiles, a technology that alarms the U.S. Navy in the Pacific.
- DF-61 intercontinental ballistic missile, reportedly capable of delivering nuclear payloads.
- Fighter jets, bombers, and helicopters performing aerial displays, including one formation spelling out “80” in honor of the anniversary.
The ceremony began with an 80-gun artillery salute and the national anthem, “March of the Volunteers,” echoing China’s wartime resistance against Japan.
Parade as Political Theater
Analysts see the commemoration as part of Xi’s long-term campaign to strengthen Communist Party legitimacy by linking present power to wartime sacrifice. Millions of Chinese perished during Japan’s invasion, and the government underscores that history to frame its modern resurgence.
James Char, an assistant professor at Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University, noted that the timing reflects global volatility:
“This is the right moment for China to announce its arrival — to present itself as a security guarantor and fill political, military, and diplomatic vacuums.”
Global Leaders Watch — and Worry
About two dozen leaders attended the parade, including Russia’s Vladimir Putin and North Korea’s Kim Jong Un. The image of Xi standing alongside them sparked unease in Washington and among allies.
U.S. President Donald Trump weighed in online, questioning whether Xi would credit American soldiers’ sacrifices in the war. He added a sarcastic greeting to Putin and Kim, accusing them of conspiring “against The United States of America.”
The Philippines expressed sharper alarm. Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro called the gathering of the three leaders a threat to smaller nations:
“That’s intimidation. For me, that’s a threat especially to smaller nations,” he said during a commemorative event in Baguio.
Xi Praises Allies, Avoids Direct Mention of U.S.
In his remarks, Xi thanked foreign nations that supported China against Japan but avoided naming the United States directly. After the ceremony, he flanked Putin and Kim on the reviewing platform, pausing to shake hands with elderly Chinese veterans, some more than 100 years old.
Marching Troops and Taiwan Reminder
Tens of thousands of PLA troops marched in perfect formation along Chang’an Avenue, responding in unison as Xi greeted them from a black limousine. “We serve the people,” they chanted.
Xi used the occasion to reinforce China’s claims over Taiwan, declaring the PLA a “heroic military the Party can rely on completely” to safeguard sovereignty and unification. His comments underscored Beijing’s insistence that Taiwan, a self-ruled democracy, is part of China.
Across the strait, Taiwanese President William Lai rejected military intimidation.
“Taiwan does not use the barrel of a gun to commemorate peace,” he said. “Instead, it recalls the martyrs, remembers the lessons of history, and upholds the belief in freedom and democracy.”
Conclusion
The 80th-anniversary parade fused historical commemoration with modern geopolitics. While China framed the event as a call for peace and global stability, the presence of Putin and Kim, the unveiling of new strategic weapons, and references to Taiwan sent a clear message: Beijing intends to project power well beyond its borders. For neighbors and rivals alike, the spectacle was both a reminder of China’s wartime past and a warning of its future ambitions.
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