China showcased its military strength on Wednesday as world leaders gathered in Beijing for the country’s largest-ever military parade, commemorating the 80th anniversary of Victory Day — the victory in the Anti-Fascist War. Chinese President Xi Jinping, flanked by Russian leader Vladimir Putin and North Korea’s Kim Jong Un, described the resurgence of the Chinese nation as “unstoppable” and warned that the world faces a choice between peace and conflict.
During the event, Xi inspected troops and military hardware from an open-top limousine along Beijing’s expansive Chang’an Avenue, before returning to a viewing area above Mao Zedong’s portrait at Tiananmen Square, near the Forbidden City. The parade featured a display of an extensive array of military vehicles and heavy artillery, with footage broadcast showing soldiers marching in precision formations and jumping in and out of armored vehicles.
Beijing residents lined the streets to observe a spectacular flyover involving numerous fighter jets and helicopters, some forming the number “80.”
Balloon releases added a festive air as they floated above the city during the parade. The event also included detailed displays of the Chinese military’s advanced equipment, such as tanks, drones, laser weapons, hypersonic missiles, and nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missiles—all synchronized in a meticulously choreographed show.
Members of the People’s Liberation Army observed formations of unmanned ships and unmanned aerial vehicles, including aerial refueling tankers, hypersonic missile systems like the YJ-19, and nuclear delivery platforms such as the DF-31BJ and DF-61. The parade highlighted China’s focus on modern warfare technology, with displays of laser weaponry and sophisticated anti-ship systems.
The display culminated with the movement of the Aerospace Force personnel, emphasizing China’s expanding reach into space and missile technology. Throughout the event, banners of national pride fluttered, underscoring China’s growing military capability and strategic ambitions.