Xi Jinping Leads Grand WWII Parade in Beijing, Welcomes Putin and Kim Jong

China showcased its military strength in a grand parade on Wednesday, marking 80 years since the end of World War II. The event featured thousands of participants and highlighted the country’s latest stealth fighters, tanks, and ballistic missiles in a highly choreographed display through Tiananmen Square.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, who also serves as head of the military and the Chinese Communist Party, presided over the ceremony. He greeted foreign leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, before welcoming Chinese military veterans and taking his place at the center of the event.

A total of 26 world leaders attended the parade, mostly from non-Western countries. From the Gate of Heavenly Peace, Xi watched the parade and delivered a speech to the 10,000 members of the People’s Liberation Army, Navy, and Air Force assembled for the occasion.

In his remarks, Xi emphasized China’s commitment to “peaceful development” while reflecting on the country’s victory over Japanese aggression in World War II. He thanked foreign governments for their support during the conflict, though he did not specifically mention the United States.

“Humanity is again faced with a choice of peace or war, dialogue or confrontation, and win-win outcomes or zero-sum games,” Xi said, highlighting lessons from the past as still relevant today.