Xi warns of “peace or war” choice as Putin and Kim join China’s military parade.

President Xi Jinping declared that humanity stands at a crossroads between “peace or war, dialogue or confrontation” as China staged a vast military parade in Tiananmen Square to mark the 80th anniversary of Japan’s surrender in World War II. In a tightly choreographed display before tens of thousands of guests, Xi inspected formations of People’s Liberation Army troops and cutting-edge hardware, using the occasion to project both China’s military prowess and his vision of a global order less centred on the West.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attended as guests of honour, an unprecedented trio on the same reviewing stand, underscoring deepening coordination among the three leaders at a moment of acute friction with the United States and its allies. Western leaders largely stayed away from the event.

The parade showcased hypersonic missiles, unmanned aerial and underwater systems, cyber and electronic warfare units, long-range missile brigades, fighter jets, and mechanised formations. Xi, riding in an open-top limousine, reviewed the troops before delivering a keynote that framed China as a force for stability while warning against “zero-sum” confrontation.

Beyond symbolism, the pageantry signalled Beijing’s intent to keep strengthening ties with Moscow and Pyongyang. Putin and Kim held talks in Beijing on the sidelines, as their countries seek economic and strategic support amid ongoing wars and sanctions. Meanwhile, reactions in Washington were sharply critical, with U.S. President Donald Trump castigating the spectacle and hinting that the trio were aligning against American interests.

For Beijing, the anniversary served both as a commemoration of wartime sacrifice and a platform to rally domestic pride behind the Communist Party’s stewardship of a modernised PLA. The message abroad was equally pointed: China intends to be treated as a central security actor in Asia and beyond, and it is willing to visibly partner with Russia and North Korea to make that point.

Source- Reuters, Associated Press, The Guardian,  Al Jazeera, ABC News.