Beijing is set to host a significant commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II on September 3, 2025. The event will feature a major military parade, with Chinese President Xi Jinping welcoming a distinguished group of international leaders, including North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
This gathering signifies a notable diplomatic engagement, underscoring the strengthening ties between China, Russia, and North Korea, and their collective stance in the current geopolitical landscape. The parade will serve as a remembrance of the conclusion of World War II and a display of China's advanced military capabilities, expected to include hypersonic missiles, stealth jets, and advanced underwater drones.
The event is designed to project a united front among the participating nations and potentially signal a recalibration of global power dynamics. In addition to Kim Jong Un and Vladimir Putin, the guest list includes 24 other heads of state and government, with leaders from Southeast Asia, Belarus, Iran, and South Korea's National Assembly Speaker confirmed. Notably, leaders from the United States and major Western European countries are not expected to attend, highlighting current diplomatic divides.
The absence of Western leaders, contrasted with the presence of leaders from China, Russia, and North Korea, is interpreted by many as a deliberate show of defiance towards the West. This commemoration marks Kim Jong Un's first visit to China since 2019, signaling a renewed focus on bilateral relations. The strengthening military cooperation between Russia and North Korea, which has seen Pyongyang supply Moscow with munitions in exchange for military technology, has been a point of international concern.
This trilateral convergence in Beijing suggests a strategic alignment aimed at mutual benefit and a shared approach to regional and global stability. The historical context of the 80th anniversary of World War II's end is particularly poignant, serving as a reminder of the profound sacrifices made and the subsequent establishment of a new world order. As nations commemorate this pivotal moment, the Beijing parade offers a contemporary perspective on international relations, emphasizing the evolving alliances and the projection of military strength in a complex global environment.