Key points we learned from China’s massive military parade – from Xi’s widening sphere of influence to Beijing’s plans for modern warfare and nuclear dominance

China hosted dozens of world leaders for a massive military parade in Tiananmen Square yesterday. 

Though it was, on the surface, put on to celebrate the 80th anniversary of World War II, the 90-minute showcase was Beijing‘s attempt to display its military might to the rest of the world. 

Countless soldiers, sailors and airmen marched in near-perfect unison alongside intercontinental ballistic missiles, tanks and stealth planes that where wheeled out to show off to the world. 

But on top of the aggressive posturing, it was also a chance for President Xi Jinping to show off his nation’s rising diplomatic standing in the world, as nations slowly extricate themselves from the West’s influence amid major changes in political and macroeconomic currents. 

President Xi’s opening address saw him proclaim that China is ‘firmly stand[ing] on the right side of history and the progress of human civilisation’.

He described his ‘strong and self-reliant’ country is a ‘great nation that fears no violence’, and boldly said the ‘rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is unstoppable’.

Here are the key takeaways from the historic parade.  

Closeness – at least for the cameras – of Kim, Xi, and Putin 

Though dozens of world leaders, the three belles of the ball were, of course, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. 

Putin and Kim flanked the Chinese premier as they climbed to the viewing platform overlooking Tiananmen Square and watched the display of military hardware and marching troops.

It was the first time the three of them, all major rivals of the West, have ever gathered in the same place at the same time. 

It was also the first time that Kim, who had arrived in Beijing on Tuesday via train, has attended a major multilateral event. 

Observers said the rare joint appearance was a show of unity against the United States. 

And the message seems to have got through to US president Donald Trump, who asked on Truth Social whether China would recognise the US’ contribution to World War II. 

He also sarcastically asked Xi to ‘give my warmest regards to [Putin and Kim] as you conspire against the United States’.

Despite Trump’s frosty reaction, it already appears that the implicit declaration of solidarity is working. 

At a one-to-one meeting with Putin, Kim said North Korea has a ‘fraternal duty’ to assist Russia and that the two nations would discuss deepening relations.

He cryptically said: ‘If there’s anything I can do for you and the people of Russia, if there is more that needs to be done, I will consider it as a fraternal duty, an obligation that we surely need to bear, and will be prepared to do everything possible to help.’

Though he didn’t explicitly mention Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, the Russian leader later admitted that sending North Korean troops to fight on the frontlines on Russia’s side was Kim’s idea. 

He said: ‘On your initiative, as is well known, your special forces took part in the liberation of the Kursk region,’ Putin said in a meeting with his North Korean counterpart.

‘This was in full accordance with our new agreement. I would like to note that your soldiers fought courageously and heroically.’

‘We will never forget the sacrifices made by your armed forces and the families of your servicemen,’ he added.

Strength of China’s military – huge range of new modern weapons from lasers to robotic wolves

The Tiananmen Square parade was the latest chance China had to show off its military might. 

Not only did Xi flaunt the sheer manpower of the People’s Liberation Army, he also displayed next-generation technology that Western nations may have to face off against in the near future. 

The parade saw formations from several military branches, including the PLA Army, Navy, Air Force, Joint Logistics Support Force and Rocket Force and newly-established Aerospace Force. 

One key highlight was the freshly-debuted DF-41, understood to be the most advanced ICBM in China’s arsenal. 

The JL-3, a new third-generation submarine-based ICBM, also appeared for the first time.

Also on display were hypersonic glide vehicles and the YJ-21 anti-ship cruise missile. 

But the cream of the crop of new weapons was the DF-5C, a new variant of the DF-5 ICBM. 

The BBC reported that the new version is believed to have a higher range and can carry up to 12 warheads at a time. 

It is believed to be a two-stage nuclear missile that uses liquid fuel to launch from a silo. 

On the more outlandish side, robotic wolves were seen walking alongside other pieces of military equipment. 

Similar to Boston Dynamic’s Spot robot, experts believe this dog can be used in a vast range of tasks, from recon to mine-sweeping and even hunting down and killing enemy combatants. 

China is preparing for modern warfare

Many examples of next-generation military equipment were seen in Tiananmen Square on Wednesday.

In its largest display of the day, the People’s Liberation Army debuted the GJ-11, a UAV designed for precision strikes and recon missions. 

Its futuristic design includes a tailless flying wing and two internal weapons bays. 

The PHL-16, a new type of rocket launcher that is China’s answer to the Westerm HIMARS system, was also put on show. 

Many drone systems were also AI-powered, a bold move that few nations, wary of the ramifications of trusting AI, have made. 

According to  defence analyst Michael Raska, the proud display of these AI-integrated systems shows that China wants to shape the future of warfare.

He added that it was clear that lessons have been learned from the invasion of Ukraine, which saw the massive rise of quick-response drone warfare. 

Alexander Neill, a military expert, added: ‘Alacrity in the kill chain matters’.

He pointed out that in the ever-changing landscape of a live battle, decisions have to made in ‘nanoseconds’ in order to kill the enemy and gain the upper hand – which is what AI can do. 

China’s growing focus on nukes

It appears that China has a growing focus on nuclear weapons.

Xi Jinping paraded new variants of ICBMs, including the DF-31BJ – the newest road-mobile variant of the DF-31 solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile. 

The DF-31BJ is believed to be an upgrade of the DF-31AG, and was tested last September. 

This was China’s first nuclear missile test in 44 years. 

Experts believe China is putting all its eggs in its nuclear basket to counter America’s superior naval capabilities. 

With the US Navy having the world’s largest fleet of aircraft carriers and carrier strike groups, China is investing its resources on getting strategic nuclear missiles in order to have the same global reach. 

Alexander Neill, adjunct fellow with the Pacific Forum, told the BBC: ‘There is this idea that Beijing wants to develop its credible deterrence, but also create a second strike capability.  

‘This is why it’s expanding its diversification of its missile platforms’

China’s growing influence – with dozens of leaders from around the world in attendance

The leaders of 26 countries and other foreign representatives joined Xi Jinping in a show of solidarity among nations friendly to Beijing. 

Leaders from the US, western Europe, Japan and India were not present at the event, and countries like South Korea and Singapore sent lower-level officials.

But Mr Xi’s guest list showed Beijing’s growing influence in the global south and other emerging economies.

Mr Putin and Mr Kim, and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, are all considered US adversaries. Russia’s close ally Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko walked next to Mr Kim after taking group pictures with other leaders.

Asia accounted for the majority of national leaders at the event.