China Victory Day Parade began on 3 September in Beijing to mark the 80th anniversary of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. Tens of thousands of troops and advanced military hardware were assembled in Tiananmen Square for an event that combined historical remembrance with a display of modern military strength.
Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China, president of the People’s Republic of China, and chairman of the Central Military Commission, delivered a keynote address before inspecting the People’s Liberation Army formations.
Xi Jinping emphasized that the victory represented the first complete triumph against foreign aggression in modern Chinese history. He credited the Chinese Communist Party with uniting the nation against Japanese aggression and enabling China to play a key role in the global fight against fascism. Xi praised the Chinese people for their immense sacrifices, describing their efforts as a major contribution to the preservation of human civilization and world peace.
Speaking to assembled troops, Xi stated, “Only when nations treat each other as equals, live in harmony and support one another can common security be safeguarded, the root cause of war eliminated, and historical tragedies prevented.” He warned that the world continues to face critical choices between peace and conflict, dialogue and confrontation, win-win cooperation or zero-sum competition.
Xi pledged that the Chinese people would remain on the side of human progress, adhere to peaceful development, and collaborate internationally to build a community with a shared future for humanity. He called on citizens of all ethnic groups to stay united under CPC leadership to strengthen the nation and advance national rejuvenation through Chinese modernization.
Xi also focused on the strategic role of the PLA. He urged the armed forces to provide support for national rejuvenation, contribute to world peace, and safeguard China’s sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity. The PLA is expected to transform into world-class forces capable of responding to modern security challenges.
The parade featured more than 10,000 soldiers and officers across 45 formations. Around 80 units represented both historic contributions and present-day military branches. Advanced military technology was on display, including hypersonic missiles, long-range ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads, stealth aircraft, drones, electronic warfare systems, and armoured formations.
Air displays involved fighter jets, bombers, and transport aircraft, while ground formations of tanks and missile carriers highlighted China’s latest weaponry. The state-run broadcast framed the event as both a memorial for wartime sacrifice and a showcase of national strength.
The parade drew 26 foreign leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. The absence of Western leaders highlighted China’s geopolitical alignment with Russia and North Korea, and reinforced the image of an alternative international bloc. Xi appeared alongside Putin and Kim throughout the ceremony, underlining increased coordination on economic, military, and diplomatic fronts.
Domestic significance was underscored by the attendance of former leaders Hu Jintao, Wen Jiabao, and Zhu Rongji, as well as retired senior military officials. Their presence highlighted unity across generations and the symbolic weight of the anniversary. Central Beijing implemented strict security measures, with schools and businesses in the parade zone closed, roads sealed off, and drones banned from the airspace. Only invited officials, foreign dignitaries, and media were allowed near Tiananmen Square.
The event began with a ceremony at the Monument to the People’s Heroes, where floral tributes were laid to honor those who fought and died during the resistance war. Xi then delivered his speech from the Tiananmen rostrum and inspected troops from a parade vehicle.
PLA formations represented all major branches, including ground forces, navy, air force, rocket force, and strategic support force. Historical veterans were symbolically included, linking the legacy of the resistance war to China’s current military development. Analysts noted the significance of advanced missile systems, including potential implications for Taiwan, while international media highlighted the absence of Western leaders as a sign of global division.
For Xi, this marked his third major military parade on Tiananmen Square, reinforcing his role as commander-in-chief and his emphasis on military strength as central to national rejuvenation. The event was broadcast domestically and internationally, combining the remembrance of wartime history with demonstrations of modern military capability. It positioned China as a country committed to peace yet prepared to defend itself against external pressures.
