Beijing – China demonstrated its military capabilities and diplomatic power in Tiananmen Square on Wednesday in what was described as the largest military parade in the history of the country, as it commemorates the 80th anniversary of the surrender of Japan at the end of World War II.

Although several Western leaders conspicuously missed the event, it was a grand show of unity between China, Russia, and North Korea, with Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif making a significant appearance.

The showcasing of almost half a million military personnel and a huge variety of contemporary equipment was not only a celebration of a historical victory, but a declaration of the future change in the balance of world power.

Chinese President Xi Jinping took this opportunity to send a clear signal to the world that the human race is at a crossroads of either peace or war, dialogue or confrontation. Analysts viewed his speech as a preview of a new world order because it stressed that China was determined to engage in peace and dialogue but warned against confrontation and hegemony.

A Geopolitical Fusion of Partners

The list of guests attending the parade was the main sign of the diplomatic priorities of China. It was attended by over 25 global leaders, including the Russian President, Vladimir Putin, and the North Korean leader, Kim Jong-un, as the guests of honour to highlight the rising level of rapport between their countries.

Three leaders appeared in a powerful photograph that was observed by the observers as a demonstration of defiance against the West. The convergence came after a defence pact between Russia and North Korea in June 2024 and may indicate a shift in the military equilibrium of the Asia-Pacific region.

To further this show of diplomacy, Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif was a key figure in the incident as he sat directly next to Xi Jinping and Putin.

His attendance and observable meetings with the two leaders were seen as a testament to the good relationship between China and Pakistan, a stark contrast to the conspicuous absence of the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The non-invitation by Modi was seen by analysts as a clear signal by China that it is not yet ready to consider India as a strategic partner in the region.

Military Prowess and a Political Message

The parade in itself was a strong display of Chinese military innovation and modernization. It featured various high-tech weapons, including hypersonic drones and underwater drones, and weaponized robot wolves.

The number 80 was spelled out by helicopters, and the event was completed by the release of 80,000 white doves as a sign of peace.

In addition to the military equipment, the incident was also full of political symbolism. President Xi explained that World War II was the start of a great renaissance in China and that the country had finally become a world power due to its resistance to Japanese aggression.

He also handled domestic issues, as the parade was used to distract people from recent corruption scandals surrounding high-ranking People’s Liberation Army members, as well as direct attention towards national pride and the modernization of the military.

The international community did not fail to pick up the undertones of the parade. U.S. President Donald Trump wrote on social media, wishing Putin and Kim a warm greeting and mentioning the role of America in the war.

Taiwan too reacted, with its President Lai Cheng-te saying that Taiwan does not rejoice in peace with the barrel of a gun, to which China once again declared its stand, that Taiwan was its territory.

The grand military parade in Beijing was, after all, a multi-layered affair which not only served to recall the past but also to provide a clear roadmap on how China, supported by its allies, could come to play an ever-increasing role in world politics.

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