China will stage a large-scale military parade in Beijing on Wednesday, with Xi Jinping presiding as leaders including Russia’s Vladimir Putin, North Korea’s Kim Jong Un, and Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian look on. The event marks the 80th anniversary of Japan’s defeat in World War II and is set to showcase new weapons under tight security around Tiananmen Square.
Key Takeaways
- Xi Jinping will oversee a victory parade in Beijing commemorating the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in Asia.
- Attendees include Vladimir Putin, Kim Jong Un, and Masoud Pezeshkian, signaling deepening ties among Beijing and several authoritarian-leaning states.
- Security is heightened across the capital; rehearsals involved more than 40,000 personnel and staff.
- The parade route runs along Chang’an Avenue by Tiananmen Square and the entrance to the Forbidden City.
- Expected hardware: nuclear-capable ICBMs, next-generation tanks, hypersonic anti-ship missiles, and uncrewed systems.
- Only 7 of 25 countries represented by their leaders are rated free or partly free by Freedom House, with Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico a notable NATO outlier.
- Analysts say participation from 11 of China’s 14 neighbors illustrates Beijing’s regional pull.
- The show of force comes amid a corruption crackdown that has left top military posts reportedly vacant.
Verified Facts
The parade commemorates the 80th anniversary of Japan’s surrender in 1945 and the end of World War II in Asia. Organizers have tightened security throughout Beijing, particularly near Tiananmen Square. Rehearsals have included more than 40,000 soldiers, civilians, and staff.
Leaders expected alongside Xi include Russia’s President Vladimir Putin, North Korea’s Kim Jong Un, and Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian—an unusual convergence of figures rarely seen together. Also on guest lists are Myanmar’s military chief Min Aung Hlaing and Denis Sassou Nguesso of the Republic of Congo.
Freedom House, a Washington-based organization, assesses that only 7 of the 25 countries represented by their leaders at the parade are free or partly free. One exception is Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico, a NATO leader who has cultivated closer economic and diplomatic ties with Beijing and criticized Western support for Ukraine.
Analysts at the Asia Society’s Center for China Analysis note that leaders from 11 of the 14 countries bordering China will be represented, including Mongolia, Laos, and Nepal. They argue this highlights China’s stature as a regional heavyweight.
The parade is expected to feature nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missiles, advanced tanks, and multiple uncrewed platforms. Observers also expect systems tailored to a Taiwan contingency, such as hypersonic anti-ship missiles aimed at complicating a U.S. naval response and drones suited for mountainous terrain.
Context & Impact
The pageantry is part of a broader state-led campaign emphasizing patriotism and anti-Japanese sentiment ahead of the anniversary, including war-themed films that underscore the brutality of Imperial Japan. The Communist Party frames the commemorations as recognition of China’s wartime sacrifices—messaging that also reinforces the party’s role in national salvation.
Domestically, the narrative helps rally support at a time of economic strain, including youth unemployment and broader growth pressures, while internationally it revives sensitivities with Tokyo. Beijing recently protested reports that Japan asked governments in Europe and Asia not to attend the parade.
Militarily, the display burnishes Beijing’s stated goal of building a “world-class” force to deter external threats and protect core interests. The Taiwan dimension looms large: the expected unveiling of anti-access systems signals continued investment in capabilities designed to raise the costs of outside intervention.
Yet the show of strength coincides with turbulence in the military’s upper ranks. After an anti-corruption drive, three of seven seats on the Communist Party’s Central Military Commission reportedly remain unfilled due to arrests or disappearances—an unusual backdrop for a day meant to project command and control.
Who’s Expected: Selected Attendees
| Leader | Country/Role | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Xi Jinping | China (Host) | Presiding |
| Vladimir Putin | Russia | Expected to attend |
| Kim Jong Un | North Korea | Expected to attend |
| Masoud Pezeshkian | Iran | Expected to attend |
| Robert Fico | Slovakia (NATO) | Expected to attend |
| Min Aung Hlaing | Myanmar | Expected to attend |
| Denis Sassou Nguesso | Republic of Congo | Expected to attend |
Official Statements & Notable Remarks
Analysts say the gathering underscores China’s appeal to strongman-led governments and cements its position as the central node in an authoritarian-aligned network.
Asia Society’s Center for China Analysis (paraphrased)
At past parades, Xi greeted troops from a Red Flag limousine with a brisk “Greetings, comrades!”—a ritual likely to be repeated.
Event protocol (historical practice)
Unconfirmed
- Final attendance lists may shift; several leaders are described as “expected,” not officially confirmed by all governments.
- Specific weapons slated for public debut have not been detailed by Chinese authorities ahead of the parade.
- Reports that three of seven CMC seats are vacant rely on arrests or disappearances not fully acknowledged by Beijing.
Bottom Line
Beijing’s anniversary parade is designed to rally domestic pride, signal deterrence to rivals, and spotlight China’s diplomatic orbit—especially among non-democratic partners. The optics are potent, even as questions linger over turbulence within the military’s top ranks and the regional repercussions for Japan, Taiwan, and the United States.