09/03/2025September 3, 2025Closing summary: China shows off arsenal and deepening ties at major military parade
Xi Jinping urged China to move ahead with building a world-class militaryImage: Tingshu Wang/REUTERS
Chinese leader Xi Jinping said the world must choose between “peace and war,” in a speech that he made as China showed off its military arsenal at a massive parade in Beijing.
Xi welcomed some two dozen foreign leaders and other foreign representatives, including North Korea’s Kim Jong Un, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.
This was the first time Xi, Putin and Kim appeared together at a public event, with the three showing a willingness to forge deeper ties in defiance of the US-led global order.
Putin invited Kim to Russia after the two leaders met for formal talks after the paradeImage: Alexander Kazakov/Sputnik/REUTERS
Xi not only showed “diplomatic heft” by placing “himself as the center of a new constellation of power,” as DW correspondent Rik Glauert said, but he also used the event to show China’s inventory to potential buyers of technology.
China unveiled new weapons, showcasing hypersonic missiles, anti-drone systems and long-range missiles, with many making an appearance at the parade for the first time.
Kim’s daughter — a new entrant to the world of politics — traveled with her father to make her debut on the international stage in Beijing.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump, who also rolled out the red carpet for Putin just weeks ago, took note of the meeting of many US adversaries. He wished China a “great” day in a message on Truth Social, adding: “Please give my warmest regards to Vladimir Putin, and Kim Jong Un, as you conspire against The United States of America.”