China's 80th Anniversary Military Parade Marks Shifts in Global Alliances

On September 3, 2025, China held a grand military parade in Beijing's Tiananmen Square to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War II. The event showcased China's latest military advancements and underscored its strengthening ties with Russia and North Korea.

The parade featured cutting-edge weaponry, including the debut of the YJ-15 hypersonic missile, the AJX002 unmanned underwater vehicle, and the DF-5C intercontinental ballistic missile. The presence of Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un signaled a deepening alliance among the three nations, raising questions about the evolving geopolitical landscape.

China has a tradition of holding military parades to commemorate significant anniversaries, such as the 70th anniversary in 2015. These events serve both as a remembrance of past conflicts and as a platform to display military progress. The 2025 parade was attended by leaders from 26 countries, primarily from non-Western nations, highlighting China's pivot towards alliances outside the Western sphere.

The military showcases included the YJ-15 hypersonic missile, a supersonic anti-ship cruise missile powered by ramjet engines; the AJX002 unmanned underwater vehicle, a torpedo-shaped drone designed for reconnaissance missions; and the DF-5C intercontinental ballistic missile, a liquid-fueled nuclear weapon capable of striking any location on Earth.

The diplomatic presence of Vladimir Putin underscored the strengthening strategic partnership between China and Russia, especially in the context of global tensions. Kim Jong Un's presence marked a significant diplomatic engagement, highlighting China's influence over the Korean Peninsula.

In his address, President Xi Jinping emphasized China's commitment to peaceful development, stating, "The Chinese people will stand firmly on the right side of history and on the side of human progress, adhere to the path of peaceful development, and join hands with the rest of the world to build a community with a shared future for humanity."

U.S. President Donald Trump reacted to the parade by commenting on social media, "Please give my warmest regards to Vladimir Putin, and Kim Jong Un, as you conspire against The United States of America."

The joint appearance of Xi, Putin, and Kim suggests a potential realignment of global alliances, with these nations presenting a unified front that could challenge Western influence. The unveiling of advanced weaponry indicates China's rapid military modernization, which may alter regional power dynamics and prompt responses from neighboring countries and global powers.

China's 2025 military parade served as a multifaceted statement: a commemoration of historical events, a demonstration of military prowess, and a signal of evolving international alliances. As China continues to assert its position on the global stage, the world watches closely to understand the implications of its strategic moves.