BEIJING – China is preparing for a monumental show of strength as President Xi Jinping hosts the country’s largest military parade in six years, a spectacle designed to project national pride, consolidate political control, and underscore Beijing’s growing global influence.
Eight towering Chinese flags now frame the portrait of Communist leader Mao Zedong above Tiananmen Square, where tens of thousands of troops will march in lockstep. The event marks the 80th anniversary of Japan’s surrender in World War II, but the symbolism extends far beyond the past. For Xi, the parade is about cementing China’s role as a military and diplomatic powerhouse.
World Leaders Gather in Beijing
Among the 26 foreign dignitaries in attendance are Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un—both viewed as critical partners for Beijing at a time of heightened tensions with the West. Kim’s presence is historic: it is the first time since 1959 that a North Korean leader has joined a Chinese military parade.
Also present are leaders from Iran, Malaysia, Indonesia, Myanmar, Mongolia, Zimbabwe, and several Central Asian nations. Serbia and Slovakia will represent the only Western governments at the ceremony, highlighting the geopolitical divide surrounding Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Xi’s diplomatic calendar this week has been packed. Over the weekend, he welcomed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to China for the first time in seven years, signaling a thaw in strained relations. Just days earlier, he hosted the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Tianjin, the largest gathering in the bloc’s history.
Parade as a Strategic Signal
The parade is expected to feature China’s latest hypersonic missiles, unmanned underwater drones, and precision troop formations. Analysts say the display is aimed at showcasing Beijing’s military capacity to rival the United States, while also sending a domestic message of strength amid economic headwinds, youth unemployment, and falling real estate prices.
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Chinese state media has been publishing features, films, and reports in the run-up to the event, encouraging citizens to embrace a “correct view” of World War II history. The official narrative emphasizes Communist resistance against Japanese forces, downplaying the role of the nationalists who later lost the civil war to Mao Zedong.
Tight Security in the Capital
Beijing has undergone sweeping security preparations ahead of the event. Over 200,000 flags and elaborate floral displays have been installed across the city. Access to key roads, schools, and businesses along Chang’an Avenue-the main parade route-has been restricted, while drones have been banned. Residents near the parade area have been told not to watch from balconies, and subway services have been rerouted to prevent disruptions.
Airport-style scanners have appeared at office buildings, and police and military personnel are stationed around bridges and overpasses to deter protests. These measures reflect the ruling Communist Party’s determination to prevent any repeat of rare public dissent, such as the protest in 2022 when a banner criticizing Xi was briefly unfurled on a Beijing bridge.
Xi’s Defining Moment
For Xi Jinping, who secured a third term as China’s leader in 2022, the parade is both a global statement and a domestic rallying cry. With Putin and Kim standing alongside him, the optics are clear: Beijing is positioning itself as the anchor of an alternative global order, one that challenges Western dominance.
While Japan and several Western governments have distanced themselves from the event-Tokyo even urged allies not to attend-the parade underscores Xi’s ability to command attention on the world stage. Clear skies are forecast, and reports suggest authorities may once again have used weather modification techniques to ensure favorable conditions for what officials describe as “President Xi’s big day.
