Beijing (TDI): China marked the 80th anniversary of World War II’s end with a grand military parade in Tiananmen Square, where a range of new and high-tech Chinese weapons, including latest generation of stealth fighters, tanks and ballistic missiles, were also on display.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong‑un witnessed the parade and walked alongside the President Xi, in a powerful show of combined strength.
Xi especially welcomed and interacted with Chinese veterans and later watched the parade from the Gate of Heavenly Peace after which he addressed the gathering of 10,000 personnel of People’s Liberation Army (PLA), Navy and Air Force.
“Humanity is again faced with a choice of peace or war, dialogue or confrontation, and win-win outcomes or zero-sum games,” Xi said.
“The Chinese people will stand firmly on the right side of history and on the side of human progress, adhere to the path of peaceful development, and join hands with the rest of the world to build a community with a shared future for humanity,” he added.
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Xi was joined by leaders of 26 countries, with a stark absence of Western nations, aligning with China’s vision of creating an alternative non-Western global system.
US President Donald Trump reacted sharply from Washington, accusing the trio of “conspiring” against the United States in a social media post rife with sarcasm.
Domestically, the parade reinforced Xi’s narrative of national pride and the Communist Party’s guardianship over China’s destiny.
For international audience, China showcased its geopolitical posture as Xi stood with Putin on his right and North Korea’s Kim on his left. As the leaders walked, leaders of Central Asian countries could be seen seen walking just behind the trio.
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