A United Front in Beijing: Xi, Putin and Kim Stand Together at Grand Military Parade

China’s grand military parade unites Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin, and Kim Jong Un in a show of strength and diplomacy. Explore top stories, weapons display, and geopolitical implications.

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In an extraordinary display of military might and geopolitical unity, C hina’s President Xi Jinping, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin, and North Korea’s Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un publicly convened today at Beijing’s Tiananmen Square—the setting of a vast military parade commemorating the 80th anniversary of China’s victory over Japan during World War II. The spectacle, which unfolded under the watchful eyes of over 50,000 attendees, featured awe-inspiring arrays—laser systems, nuclear-capable ballistic missiles, and even mechanised robotic wolves—a testament to defence innovation that’s unsettling Western strategists. Amid booming drums and marching battalions, President Xi delivered a pointed message—never return to “the law of the jungle, where the strong prey on the weak”—before Putin and Kim wrapped up a two-and-a-half-hour bilateral sit-down, culminating in warm handshakes and impromptu hugs. Notably, 26 global heads of state attended—with nearly all Western leaders absent—underlining a stark realignment in global diplomatic circles.

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1. Weapons of Tomorrow: Laser Missiles to Robot Wolves

The parade wasn’t just about pomp and circumstance—it was a technological showcase. From advanced laser-guided artillery to road-mobile intercontinental ballistic missiles, the event underlined Beijing’s intentions to cement its status as a next-gen superpower. Robotics experts noted the surreal presence of mechanised “wolves,” possibly designed for autonomous reconnaissance or psychological battlefield impact.

2. Diplomatic Fabrique: East’s Emerging Coalition

This public meeting marks the first time Xi, Putin, and Kim have appeared together, signaling a broader diplomatic triad. Behind closed doors, Putin extended an invitation to Kim to visit Russia—amid discussions of Pyongyang’s potential logistical or labour support in the Ukraine conflict. These developments could reshape Western defence calculations.

3. Attendance Speaks: 26 Leaders, Zero Western Heads

The guest list paints a vivid geopolitical tableau: while 26 heads of state from across Asia, Africa, and parts of Latin America lined the reviewing stands, most Western leaders declined the invitation. This absence echoes shifting alliances and may serve as a barometer for declining Western influence in certain regions.

4. Messaging to the World: Strength, Sovereignty, Solidarity

President Xi’s speech was emblematic: invoking historical memory (“victory over Japan”) and moral ideals (“justice over might”)—he underscored that nations must compete within lawful frameworks, not through dominance. It’s a clear rhetorical pivot positioning China (with Russia and North Korea) as defenders of a new multipolar world order.


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Internal and External Linking Examples (In-Text)

For internal links, you’d format with your site’s structure; I’ll mark them as placeholders:

Earlier this year, we explored China’s military modernization, offering background on its evolving capabilities.
For broader context on North Korea–Russia ties, see our analysis: Russia-North Korea relations.
To understand the symbolic weight of anniversaries in Asia, read our feature on World War II anniversaries in Asia.

For external links, placeholders would point to authoritative sources:

According to defense experts at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, Beijing’s laser-directed energy weapons signal a leap in anti-aircraft capabilities (link).
Video coverage from China’s state broadcaster captures Xi’s speech and the mechanised units parading through Tiananmen (link).
A geopolitical outlook from the Council on Foreign Relations frames the event within the emerging multipolar order (link).

A Final Thought

This Beijing spectacle wasn’t merely about military hardware; it was a high-stakes diplomatic performance. At once theatrical and consequential, it positions China as a central broker in a world where power blocs are shifting. As this story unfolds, keep an eye on how Western capitals respond—and whether this alignment will translate from optics to tangible geopolitical realignments.

United Front in Beijing: Xi, Putin and Kim Stand Together at Grand Military Parade