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Xi Jinping says world faces ‘peace or war’, as Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un join him for military parade Xi Jinping says world faces ‘peace or war’, as Putin and Kim join him for military parade
(about 2 hours later)
Trump criticises victory day event as China caps off a week of diplomatic grandstanding seen as a rebuke to the westTrump criticises victory day event as China caps off a week of diplomatic grandstanding seen as a rebuke to the west
Xi Jinping warned the world was facing a choice between peace or war as he held China’s largest-ever military parade, flanked by Russia’s Vladimir Putin and North Korea’s Kim Jong-un, capping a week of diplomatic grandstanding seen as a rebuke to the west. Xi Jinping said the world was facing a choice between peace or war as he held China’s largest-ever military parade, joined by Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un in a show of defiance to the west.
Putin and Kim, the authoritarian leaders of Russia and North Korea, are among dozens of world leaders attending the parade, a massive display of military hardware and personnel, orchestrated to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the second world war, which China calls the Japanese War of Aggression. Putin and Kim, the authoritarian leaders of Russia and North Korea, were among dozens of world leaders who attended the parade, a massive display of military hardware and personnel, orchestrated to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the second world war, which China calls the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression.
But it was the unprecedented image of the three men chatting and shaking hands as they walked the red carpet that analysts said sent a message of defiance to the west, as the US president Donald Trump’s trade tariffs and volatile policymaking strain its relations with allies and rivals alike. “Today, humanity is again faced with the choice of peace or war, dialogue or confrontation, win-win or zero-sum,” Xi told the crowd of more than 50,000 spectators, adding that the Chinese people “firmly stand on the right side of history”.
“Today, mankind is faced with the choice of peace or war, dialogue or confrontation, win-win or zero-sum,” Xi told a crowd of more than 50,000 spectators at Tiananmen Square, adding that the Chinese people “firmly stand on the right side of history”. He said China was a great nation that “is never intimidated by any bullies” in an apparent veiled reference to the US and its allies and warned that China was “unstoppable”.
He said China was a great nation which “is never intimidated by any bullies” in an apparent veiled reference to the US and its allies and warned that China was “unstoppable”, before the massive display of military hardware began. After his remarks, Xi stood in an open top car to inspect the parade, greeting troops and receiving salutes, as miles of military hardware drove by and warplanes flew overhead.
“Beijing is sending a message … that even if western countries continue to sanction Russia over the Russia-Ukraine War, Beijing will not be afraid to stand by its friend,” said Wen-ti Sung, a non-resident fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Global China Hub. The event bookended a week of diplomatic grandstanding in China, with Xi hosting dozens of leaders in Tianjin, in a push to elevate groups dominated by the global south – and led by China – over western-led groups such as Nato. The years-long campaign has been aided by US president Donald Trump’s trade tariffs and volatile policymaking which has strained its relations with allies and rivals alike.
But it was the unprecedented image of the three autocratic strongmen chatting and shaking hands as they walked the red carpet in Tiananmen Square on Wednesday, that analysts said sent the strongest message of defiance to the west.
“Beijing is sending a message … that even if western countries continue to sanction Russia over the Russia-Ukraine war, Beijing will not be afraid to stand by its friend,” said Wen-Ti Sung, a non-resident fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Global China Hub.
China has touted the parade as a show of unity with other countries, and Kim’s attendance is the first time he has been seen with Xi and Putin at the same event. It is only Kim’s second reported trip abroad in six years.China has touted the parade as a show of unity with other countries, and Kim’s attendance is the first time he has been seen with Xi and Putin at the same event. It is only Kim’s second reported trip abroad in six years.
The event drew an almost immediate reaction from Trump.The event drew an almost immediate reaction from Trump.
“May President Xi and the wonderful people of China have a great and lasting day of celebration,” Trump posted on his Truth Social account.“May President Xi and the wonderful people of China have a great and lasting day of celebration,” Trump posted on his Truth Social account.
“Please give my warmest regards to Vladimir Putin, and Kim Jong-un, as you conspire against The United States of America.”“Please give my warmest regards to Vladimir Putin, and Kim Jong-un, as you conspire against The United States of America.”
Just hours after the parade, officials reported that Kim and Putin had held a formal meeting, in which Kim said he was willing to do “everything I can to assist” Russia, describing it as a “fraternal duty”, according to Russian state media.
According to South Korean assessments, North Korea has sent about 15,000 troops to Russia since they signed an agreement last year. Putin reportedly thanked Kim for the bravery and heroism of North Korean soldiers who fought alongside Moscow’s troops.
Putin’s appearance in Beijing came as Russia launched a sweeping overnight air attack on Ukraine, injuring at least four railway workers and prompting Poland to scramble defence aircraft.Putin’s appearance in Beijing came as Russia launched a sweeping overnight air attack on Ukraine, injuring at least four railway workers and prompting Poland to scramble defence aircraft.
Among the other guests are Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian and Myanmar junta chief Min Aung Hlaing. No major western leaders are attending. Kim has been accompanied by his daughter Kim Ju-ae, images released by North Korean state news showed. Among the other guests in China are the Iranian president, Masoud Pezeshkian, and the Myanmar junta chief, Min Aung Hlaing. No major western leaders are attending. Kim has been accompanied by his daughter Kim Ju-ae, images released by North Korean state news showed.
Political analysts say the parade is designed to demonstrate Xi’s influence over nations intent on reshaping the western-led global order. It came just days after the Chinese city of Tianjin hosted a major summit for leaders of the global south, which was also attended by Putin.
Analysts are watching closely to see if any formal meeting between Xi, Putin and Kim is held.Analysts are watching closely to see if any formal meeting between Xi, Putin and Kim is held.
“If all three were to meet, it would be very striking to the United States, highlighting a potential new cold war dynamic,” said Lim Chuan-Tiong, a researcher with the Institute for Advanced Studies on Asia at the University of Tokyo.“If all three were to meet, it would be very striking to the United States, highlighting a potential new cold war dynamic,” said Lim Chuan-Tiong, a researcher with the Institute for Advanced Studies on Asia at the University of Tokyo.
“If such a meeting does not take place, it is likely because China does not want to overly provoke the US while maintaining a certain degree of triangular ambiguity.”“If such a meeting does not take place, it is likely because China does not want to overly provoke the US while maintaining a certain degree of triangular ambiguity.”
After his remarks, Xi stood in an open top car to inspect the parade, greeting troops and receiving salutes. Analysts made much of the military hardware on display; from tanks and drones to long-range and nuclear capable missiles, fighter jets and stealth aircraft, with several newly developed assets unveiled. Analysts made much of the military hardware on display; from tanks and drones to long-range and nuclear capable missiles, fighter jets and stealth aircraft, with several newly developed assets unveiled.
The hardware is intended to “give the United States, Europe and China’s neighbours pause should they consider challenging China’s core national interests,” said Drew Thompson, a senior fellow at the S. Rajaratnam school of international studies. The hardware is intended to “give the United States, Europe and China’s neighbours pause should they consider challenging China’s core national interests,” said Drew Thompson, a senior fellow at the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore
Much of the weaponry and equipment in the parade was being shown to the public for the first time, according to Chinese military officials. This included hypersonic missiles designed to take out ships at sea. These weapons are of particular concern to the US Navy, which patrols the western Pacific from its 7th Fleet headquarters in Japan. Some of the weaponry being shown to the public for the first time included hypersonic missiles designed to take out ships at sea, according to Chinese military officials. These weapons are of particular concern to the US navy, which patrols the western Pacific.
Also on display were underwater drones including the AJX002 and a new intercontinental ballistic missile, the DF-61, which China says could carry nuclear warheads to distant targets.Also on display were underwater drones including the AJX002 and a new intercontinental ballistic missile, the DF-61, which China says could carry nuclear warheads to distant targets.
Jennifer Parker, adjunct fellow in naval studies at UNSW Canberra, said the parade was more about China sending a specific message than signalling new capabilities.
“You don’t do a parade like this to commemorate the end of world war two. You do a parade like this to show force, and you are choosing the capabilities that you put into that parade to send a specific message,” she said.
“What they’re trying to show is a conventional and nuclear force that can operate across all domains and with cutting edge technology.”
Xi’s speech contained several references to the “rejuvenation of the Chinese nation” – a common phrase for Xi’s overarching plan for China’s future which hinges on annexing Taiwan as Chinese territory.Xi’s speech contained several references to the “rejuvenation of the Chinese nation” – a common phrase for Xi’s overarching plan for China’s future which hinges on annexing Taiwan as Chinese territory.
Xi and the Chinese Communist party claim Taiwan is a Chinese province, currently run by illegal separatists. Taiwan’s government and people are opposed to this.Xi and the Chinese Communist party claim Taiwan is a Chinese province, currently run by illegal separatists. Taiwan’s government and people are opposed to this.
The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has been undergoing a massive modernisation and advancement under Xi, but it’s also been beset by corruption issues, and in the last few years there have been purges of officials and personnel at levels not seen since the Mao Zedong era. The People’s Liberation Army has been undergoing a massive modernisation and advancement under Xi, but it’s also been beset by corruption issues, and in the last few years there have been purges of officials and personnel at levels not seen since the Mao Zedong era.
With Reuters Additional reporting by Jason Tzu Kuan Lu and Daisy Dumas