
In a spectacle of military precision and diplomatic symbolism, China staged its largest-ever military parade on 3 September 2025 in Beijing. President Xi Jinping was joined by Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at Tiananmen Square to mark the 80th anniversary of Japan's surrender in the Second World War. The event featured troops marching in perfect unison, advanced weaponry on display, and international guests that signalled shifting global alliances.