At a grand military parade in Beijing, President Xi Jinping declared that China’s ‘great rejuvenation’ is unstoppable, emphasizing the nation’s rapid advancements and its commitment to safeguarding its sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national unity. The parade, held in Tiananmen Square, was a dramatic demonstration of China’s military might, with thousands of troops goose-stepping, followed by columns of tanks, missile carriers, and drones. Xi used the occasion to reaffirm China’s determination to protect territorial integrity, particularly with regard to its claim over Taiwan, as he stated that the People’s Liberation Army would ‘resolutely safeguard national sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity.’
Xi’s declaration came as part of a broader strategy to assert China’s global prominence. The 70-minute spectacle, which coincided with the 80th anniversary of Japan’s surrender in World War II, also featured a display of China’s nuclear triad, including the DF-41 intercontinental ballistic missile, which has a range of over 12,400 miles. Analysts noted the presence of a new DF-61 hypersonic missile, which is designed to overcome U.S. missile defenses, further underscoring China’s military advancements. The parade also highlighted new AI-enhanced systems, stealth drones like the GJ-11 ‘Sharp Sword’ UCAV, and unconventional warfare capabilities, including cyber and space technologies, to project power beyond traditional battlefields.
While Xi’s rhetoric emphasized China’s strength, a separate development highlighted the growing alignment among global powers. Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un were present at the parade, signaling a strategic alliance among China, Russia, and North Korea. The two leaders engaged in private meetings for two hours after the event, with Putin reportedly thanking Kim for his support for Russia’s war in Ukraine. This growing coordination was echoed by President Donald Trump, who accused China, Russia, and North Korea of conspiring against the United States, claiming in a post on Truth Social that China, Russia, and North Korea have formed a global alliance ‘conspiring against The United States of America.’
The U.S. response to China’s military buildup has been measured but firm, with officials warning that the 2027 deadline for PLA modernization—marked as the 100th anniversary of the Chinese army—could align with preparations for a potential invasion of Taiwan. U.S. military displays, such as the recent parade in Washington to mark the Army’s 250th birthday, have been interpreted as a countermeasure to China’s growing capabilities. Meanwhile, Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te dismissed the parade as ‘psychological intimidation,’ while global leaders such as Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian observed the event, reflecting the geopolitical tensions at play in the region.
The parade and its political ramifications highlight the broader strategic competition between the global superpowers. While Xi’s declaration of China’s ‘unstoppable’ rejuvenation underscores a vision of China’s future dominance, the accusations of international conspiracy by Trump, and the growing alliances among Beijing, Moscow, and Pyongyang, signal a complex and escalating global geopolitical rivalry.