China’s Victory Day Parade: Symbolism Beyond History

Beijing’s Victory Day military parade was more than a commemoration of World War II. It emerged as one of the most striking geopolitical images in recent years: Chinese President Xi Jinping walking the red carpet alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un before reviewing tens of thousands of troops at Tiananmen Square.

The parade marked the 80th anniversary of Japan’s defeat in 1945, yet its message was unmistakably contemporary. It was the first time Xi, Putin, and Kim had appeared together in public, joined by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Myanmar’s military chief Min Aung Hlaing—leaders representing governments heavily sanctioned by the West. Their presence underscored what analysts viewed as a deliberate signal: China is actively cultivating global partnerships outside the Western-dominated order.

Major Western heads of state were notably absent. Only Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico and Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vučić attended, both known for maintaining close ties with Moscow and Beijing. The parade concluded a week of diplomacy that also included the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, where Xi hosted regional leaders such as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

For Russia, still waging war in Ukraine, and for North Korea, whose leader rarely travels abroad, Beijing offered a stage to demonstrate they are not isolated. Kim Jong Un’s appearance was particularly significant. Reports citing South Korean intelligence suggested he was accompanied by his daughter, Kim Ju-ae—believed to be his likely successor—adding a dynastic undertone.

Strategic Messaging

China’s state media framed the parade as both historical remembrance and political positioning. The People’s Daily argued that China’s role in defeating Japan has been “selectively ignored and underestimated,” accusing critics of deliberately diminishing the Communist Party’s wartime contribution.

Xi’s decision to assemble leaders such as Putin, Kim, Pezeshkian, and Min Aung Hlaing was less about nostalgia and more about showcasing China’s diplomatic reach at a time of heightened tensions with Washington. “This was Xi demonstrating strength,” said Alfred Wu, Associate Professor of Chinese politics, noting that China is increasingly projecting an independent sphere of influence.

Beijing also unveiled advanced weaponry, including jet fighters, underwater drones, anti-ship Ying Ji missiles, and the DF-26 “Guam killer” ballistic missile—hardware designed to rival U.S. capabilities in the Indo-Pacific. Defence experts told AFP that the display was intended as a clear deterrence signal.

Xi’s speech reinforced the broader narrative, declaring China “unstoppable” and framing the global order as facing a choice between peace and confrontation. While there was no formal trilateral summit between Xi, Putin, and Kim, the optics conveyed cohesion among states often targeted by sanctions and regime-change rhetoric.

Reactions from Washington

Western capitals were quick to downplay the spectacle. President Donald Trump dismissed the notion of a new anti-U.S. axis, saying, “China needs us more than we need them.” Yet on Truth Social, his remarks carried a sharper edge: “Please give my warmest regards to Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un, as you conspire against the United States of America.”

This mix of sarcasm and dismissal reflects Washington’s challenge—avoiding legitimisation of the parade while not appearing indifferent. Trump also voiced “disappointment” with Putin after a failed peace initiative in Alaska, insisting that the U.S. military remains the most powerful in the world.

Still, China’s ability to host key leaders while Western heads of state stayed away has raised questions over whether U.S. influence in Asia and the Global South is beginning to erode.

India’s Calculated Presence

While absent from the military parade itself, India played a prominent role in the week’s diplomatic engagements. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s attendance at the SCO summit—his first visit to China in seven years—highlighted New Delhi’s commitment to multilateral dialogue.

Analysts observed that India’s participation reflected its carefully balanced foreign policy: engaging with both Western and non-Western blocs while maintaining strategic autonomy. South Asia expert Michael Kugelman noted that Modi’s presence “reaffirmed India’s position as a key regional player, committed to sovereignty and issue-based cooperation across the geopolitical spectrum.”

Looking Ahead

The parade did not formalise a new alliance, but it reshaped the optics of global power. By aligning sanctioned regimes, regional partners, and emerging powers under one symbolic event, Xi Jinping advanced his vision of a multipolar world—less dependent on U.S.-led institutions and increasingly defined by alternative centres of influence.