Beijing — China held a massive military parade on Sept. 3, 2025, to mark 80 years since Japan’s surrender in World War II. The parade filled Tiananmen Square with troops, hardware and visiting leaders. The show highlighted new Chinese weapons, a large crowd, and close ties with Russia and North Korea.
President Xi Jinping led the ceremony and gave a keynote speech. He said the world faces a choice between peace and war. Xi rode in an open limousine to inspect troops and the displayed equipment. The parade included hypersonic missiles, underwater drones, robotic systems, and other advanced gear.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un sat beside Xi in the main viewing area. Their presence drew attention because Western leaders largely did not attend. The three leaders appeared together publicly as foreign guests of honour.
U.S. President Donald J. Trump posted on Truth Social as the parade began. He told Xi to pass his “warmest regards” to Putin and Kim and accused them of conspiring against the United States. The post noted that the United States helped defeat Japan in World War II and said the country should have been mentioned in Xi’s remarks. Reuters and other outlets reported the post.
China’s foreign ministry replied to questions about the guest list. A spokesman said foreign guests were invited to remember history and to “cherish peace.” He said China’s relations with other countries are not aimed at any third party. The ministry framed the visit as part of commemorating the war’s victims and promoting peace.
The Kremlin dismissed the idea of a plot against the United States. A Kremlin aide told state media that Trump’s comment appeared to be ironic. Russian officials said Moscow was not conspiring against the U.S. following the parade.
The parade drew a large public presence. Reuters reported more than 50,000 spectators at Tiananmen Square. Veterans and service members took part. Doves were released during some parts of the ceremony. Photography and official images showed rows of troops, missile launchers, aircraft flyovers, and new robotic ground systems.
Chinese state media and international news wires listed several new weapons shown. They included DF-class missiles, hypersonic glide vehicles, unmanned surface and underwater drones, and counter-drone systems. Some analysts noted the equipment on display signaled advances in long-range and precision strike capabilities.
Foreign delegations included leaders from countries beyond Russia and North Korea. Photographs and lists of attendees showed officials from several Asian and non-Western states at the reception and parade. Western governments largely declined formal representation for the event.
Diplomatic meetings took place on the sidelines of the parade. Reuters and other outlets reported bilateral talks between Putin and Kim at China’s State Guesthouse. Putin thanked Kim for his support for Russian forces in Ukraine, according to Russian officials. North Korean state media and Russian accounts gave differing emphases after the meeting.
The parade followed weeks of planning and public messaging by Beijing. Officials described the event as a commemoration. The Chinese leadership used the ceremony to frame historical memory alongside contemporary military progress. State broadcasts mixed solemn memorial segments with the military spectacle.
Western commentary and many Western governments noted the event’s political symbolism. Some said the parade highlighted closer ties between China, Russia, and North Korea at a moment of strained relations with the United States and many European states. Media coverage described the gathering as rare and strategically significant.
After Trump’s social media message, several governments and officials responded in public statements or through state media. The Kremlin’s comment came quickly. China’s foreign ministry reiterated the stated purpose of the commemoration. Other countries offered measured reactions or did not comment directly on Trump’s post.
Photographs released by state and international agencies captured the leaders, the military units, and the displayed systems. Agencies credited KCNA and AFP for some images of the leaders arriving. Reuters distributed many images showing missile arrays, troops and flyovers. These photos circulated widely across global news outlets.
Event organisers said the ceremony honoured those who died during the war and stressed remembrance. Chinese officials framed the parade as both a memorial and a statement on national strength. The government said the commemoration aimed to “cherish the memory of the martyrs” and to promote peace.
Security measures in Beijing were strict. Public access to some central areas was limited during the parade. Journalists and delegates faced controlled movement and staged photo opportunities typical of high-profile state events. International press coverage noted the tightly managed environment.
Analysts quoted in news reports described both the technical features of the hardware and the political message of the leaders’ public appearance. They pointed to the parade as a platform for signalling capability and partnerships. News outlets also highlighted the absence of many Western heads of state.
North Korean state outlets and Russian channels issued coverage framing the visit as diplomatic success. Official reports in those media emphasized friendship and cooperation with China, and highlighted meetings between Kim and Putin. Those domestic accounts differed in tone from many Western media stories.
Following the ceremony, official channels showed receptions and state hospitality. Leaders attended a reception at the Great Hall of the People. Images and state reports captured formal group photos, banquets and cultural components of the event.
The parade’s long-term diplomatic impact remains for governments and analysts to track. Governments cited the event in public statements and state media framed it as a symbol of unity among certain nations. Leaders then departed Beijing with various bilateral statements and media narratives.