Key Highlights:
- 26 foreign leaders including Putin and Kim Jong Un will attend China’s September 3 Victory Day parade at Tiananmen Square
- The military parade will showcase over 10,000 troops and China’s most advanced weaponry including hypersonic missiles
- The event marks 80 years since Japan’s surrender in World War II and demonstrates China’s growing military might
Opening Overview
China prepares to showcase its formidable military capabilities through a massive Victory Day parade on September 3, 2025, marking the 80th anniversary of Japan’s surrender in World War II. The highly anticipated China military parade will bring together 26 foreign heads of state and government to Tiananmen Square, with Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un topping President Xi Jinping’s guest list. This spectacular display comes as China asserts itself as the world’s third-ranked military power, with defense spending increasing 7.2% in 2025.
The China military parade represents more than ceremonial commemoration, serving as a strategic projection of Beijing’s growing influence amid heightened geopolitical tensions. With tens of thousands of troops and cutting-edge military technology on display, the event underscores China’s commitment to achieving Xi Jinping’s vision of a “world-class military” by 2049.
🇨🇳 BEIJING’S BIG SHOW: PUTIN, KIM & FRIENDS FRONT ROW
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) August 28, 2025
On Sept 3, Beijing’s rolling out tanks, missiles, and marching bands for the 80th anniversary of Japan’s defeat – aka WWII victory parade with very current vibes.
Who’s on the guest list? Top spots go to Putin and Kim Jong… https://t.co/IxAXyv7QiE pic.twitter.com/4Gu7Se9Jke
Global Leaders Rally Behind Beijing’s Military Display
- Putin’s attendance marks strengthening China-Russia military cooperation amid Western sanctions
- Kim Jong Un’s first visit to China since 2019 demonstrates deepening North Korea-China ties
The attendance roster for the China military parade reads like a strategic alliance map, featuring leaders from nations across Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. Beyond Putin and Kim Jong Un, the parade will host Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko, Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, and South Korea’s National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik.
Notably absent from the China military parade are leaders from Western nations, highlighting the diplomatic divides shaping contemporary geopolitics. Myanmar’s military leader Min Aung Hlaing will attend despite his country’s ongoing civil conflict, while Slovakia’s Robert Fico represents the sole Western European presence. The guest list signals Beijing’s success in cultivating relationships with nations seeking alternatives to Western-led international order.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India will not attend the China military parade, though he will be in China for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Tianjin. This absence reflects the complex India-China relationship, particularly following their 2020 border dispute in the Himalayas, even as economic concerns about U.S. trade policies have led to gradual warming of ties.
Military Modernization Takes Center Stage
- Over 10,000 troops will participate in the largest Chinese parade in years
- Advanced hypersonic missiles, autonomous tanks, and drone ships will be displayed
- Fighter jets, missile defense systems, and electronic warfare assets headline the showcase
The China military parade will feature an unprecedented display of the People’s Liberation Army’s most advanced capabilities, with more than 10,000 troops marching through Tiananmen Square. The carefully choreographed event will showcase hundreds of aircraft, including fighter jets and bombers, alongside ground formations displaying China’s latest hypersonic missiles, autonomous tanks, and cutting-edge electronic warfare systems.
Senior PLA officer Wu Zeke confirmed in June 2025 that the China military parade will highlight “new-type combat capabilities,” demonstrating the fruits of Xi Jinping’s ambitious military modernization program. The display comes as China ranks third globally in military strength with a Power Index score of 0.0788, trailing only the United States and Russia.
China’s naval power will likely feature prominently in the China military parade, reflecting Xi Jinping’s prioritization of maritime capabilities. The nation now operates the world’s largest navy and has achieved shipbuilding capacity 230 times greater than the United States, positioning itself as a dominant force in the Indo-Pacific region. The parade will also showcase China’s expanding ballistic and cruise missile arsenal, with the country’s nuclear stockpile growing faster than any other nation.
Strategic Implications and Regional Power Dynamics
- The parade demonstrates China’s challenge to U.S. military dominance in Asia
- Timing coincides with increased Chinese assertiveness over Taiwan
- Event occurs amid Trump administration’s disruption of traditional American alliances
The China military parade represents a calculated display of power projection amid escalating tensions over Taiwan and broader Indo-Pacific security concerns. The event occurs as China adopts an increasingly assertive stance regarding territorial disputes with neighboring nations, while the Trump administration disrupts traditional American partnerships and alliances.
Defense spending has surged for the third consecutive year, with China’s 7.2% increase in 2025 funding rapid development and production of weapons systems designed to deter U.S. military intervention. The China military parade showcases the results of these investments, featuring technologies specifically intended to position Beijing for potential great-power conflicts.
The timing of the China military parade coincides with China’s Joint Sword-2024B military exercises, described by U.S. Army Pacific commander General Charles A. Flynn as rehearsals for potential Taiwan blockade or invasion scenarios. This coordination between ceremonial display and operational preparation underscores the serious strategic intent behind the pageantry at Tiananmen Square.
Diplomatic Messaging Through Military Spectacle
- The parade reinforces China’s leadership of an alternative international order
- Russian and North Korean participation signals strengthening authoritarian partnerships
- Western absence highlights growing global diplomatic polarization
The China military parade serves multiple diplomatic functions beyond military demonstration, reinforcing Beijing’s position as leader of an emerging multipolar world order. The presence of Putin and Kim Jong Un at the parade symbolizes deepening cooperation between three nations increasingly isolated from Western-led institutions and facing various forms of international sanctions.
For North Korea, Kim Jong Un’s participation in the China military parade marks his first international travel since 2019, demonstrating the strategic importance both nations place on their relationship. The visit comes as North Korea continues developing its nuclear and missile programs while seeking Chinese economic support and diplomatic protection.
The China military parade guest list reflects Beijing’s successful cultivation of relationships across the Global South, with leaders from Asia, Africa, and Latin America represented. This diplomatic outreach coincides with China’s Belt and Road Initiative investments and its positioning as an alternative to Western-dominated international financial and security institutions.
Final Perspective
The September 3 China military parade at Tiananmen Square represents far more than commemoration of World War II victory, serving as a powerful demonstration of Beijing’s emergence as a comprehensive global power. With 26 foreign leaders witnessing displays of advanced military technology and thousands of troops, the event crystallizes China’s challenge to the existing international order led by the United States and its allies.
The strategic timing of the China military parade, occurring amid heightened tensions over Taiwan and disrupted Western alliances, underscores Xi Jinping’s confidence in China’s growing capabilities and international support. As China continues its military modernization toward the 2027 deadline and builds partnerships with nations seeking alternatives to Western influence, this parade signals a definitive shift in global power dynamics that will reshape international relations for decades to come.
