Largest ever military parade held under Xi Jinping in China
China Marks 70th Anniversary of Founding with Military Parade
On Wednesday, China celebrated the 70th anniversary of its founding with a grand military parade in Tiananmen Square. The event, which lasted for 70 minutes, combined commemoration with a demonstration of strength, featuring fighter jets, hypersonic missiles, drones, and advanced tanks.
The parade was attended by foreign leaders such as Russian President Vladimir Putin, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, and Indonesian President Joko Widodo, among others. However, several world leaders were absent, including U.S. President Donald Trump and many Western leaders.
For Putin, the visit was an opportunity to reinforce energy cooperation with China at a time of sanctions from the West. Kim Jong Un gained international visibility, while his daughter Ju Ae made her debut abroad, prompting speculation about succession.
Xi Jinping, speaking to more than 50,000 spectators, emphasized humanity's choice between peace and war, dialogue and confrontation, and win-win cooperation versus a zero-sum approach. He is expected to link China's wartime role with its present-day position as a major power in the international system in his remarks.
The parade showcased China's growing military power, revealing significant advancements in nuclear deterrence and missile defense systems, anti-ship prowess, and autonomous underwater systems. The HHQ-9C surface-to-air missile, the HQ-19 anti-ballistic missile system, the HQ-29, and the YJ-21 anti-ship cruise missile were featured in the parade.
The DF-5C intercontinental ballistic missile, a new variant capable of carrying up to 12 nuclear warheads, and the JL-3 submarine-launched ballistic missile were displayed in the parade. The event concluded with a performance of Ode to the Motherland and the release of 80,000 doves over Tiananmen Square.
Major roads and schools in Beijing were closed for security and order during the large-scale event. Over 20 attending leaders were greeted by President Xi Jinping in English. Xi Jinping reviewed the troops assembled in formation before delivering his speech.
Trump stated that he does not view the parade as a challenge to the U.S. and emphasized his "very good relationship" with Xi. Despite the absence of some world leaders, the parade extended beyond historical commemoration, reflecting current geopolitical alignments and shifting partnerships.
