Chinese President Xi Jinping, his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attended a grand parade in Beijing today demonstrating China's military and diplomatic power and portraying the Chinese military as advanced and capable of rivaling, or even surpassing, the US.
President Xi, who declared that China is unstoppable, began his short address by remembering China's war veterans and calling for the eradication of war to prevent history from repeating itself, but his first message was focused on the future, indicating that today China is strong, does not fear anyone and is ready to take on a leading role in the world.
"The Chinese people are a people who are not afraid of violence and are self-reliant and strong. We will stick to the path of peaceful development and work hand in hand with people of all countries to build a community with a shared future for mankind," Xi said.
US President Donald Trump responded to Xi sarcastically on his social media, accusing China, Russia and North Korea of conspiring against the United States (US).
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The three leaders, Chinese, Russian and North Korean, with Xi in the center, stood side by side, from a balcony in Tiananmen Square, watching a grand parade celebrating the victory over Japan and the end of World War II, 80 years ago.
They watched the perfect choreography of soldiers marching under flags, missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads, drones and tanks, the flyover of dozens of planes and helicopters that spelled out the number 80 in the sky.
The image of the trio was briefly shown on state television before being taken off the air. Foreign media were kept at a distance.
State television showed the arrival of Kim Jong Un, Putin and about two dozen invited foreign leaders, with whom Xi shook hands.
In addition to Xi, the presidents of Russia and North Korea, the 26 state officials included the presidents of Belarus and Iran, Alexander Lukashenko and Masoud Pezeshkian, as well as officials and top officials from Cuba, Pakistan, Mongolia, Myanmar, Malaysia, Laos, Vietnam, Indonesia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zimbabwe, Central Asian and other countries.
The only leaders from Europe were Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico.
Not a single prominent Western leader was present, writes Agence France-Presse.
Xi, accompanied by two distinguished guests, headed by a group of leaders, went to Tiananmen Square where he greeted war veterans, who were in uniform and with medals, even though some of them were centenarians.
Thousands of participants sang patriotic songs in a huge square decorated with red flags.
"The rebirth of the Chinese nation is unstoppable, and the noble pursuit of peace and development of mankind will surely triumph," Xi said in his speech.
In a period of geopolitical tensions and a trade war, Xi warned that "humanity is once again facing a situation between war and peace, dialogue and confrontation" and called for preventing the repetition of "historical tragedies," such as the one when millions of Chinese died in the face of Japanese troops 80 years ago.
Aircraft and tank carriers, ships, hypersonic missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles were also displayed. Two large underwater drones were displayed for the first time at the parade.
Xi avoided any explicit mention of the US or topics of disagreement, such as Taiwan and tariffs, in his speech.
Kim Jong-un's presence alongside his two powerful neighbors was a world first. Never since he came to power in 2011 has the North Korean leader (who is restricted from leaving his country under severe Western sanctions) had he held such a meeting with foreign leaders.
"May President Xi and the great Chinese people have a wonderful day of celebration. Please convey my warmest regards to Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un as they plot against the United States," US President Donald Trump wrote on his Twitter account.
The parade is the culmination of a week of intense diplomatic activity in China following a regional summit on Monday and Tuesday, which brought together about two dozen Eurasian leaders.
Russian President Vladimir Putin in China has shown no sign of giving in to pressure from Trump to stop the fighting in Ukraine, despite their meeting on August 15 in Alaska.
When it comes to North Korea, the three meetings that Trump had with Kim Jong Un in 2018 and 2019 during his first term to eliminate North Korea's alleged nuclear threat did not follow through.
By coming to Beijing, Kim showed North Koreans and the world that he has strong Russian and Chinese friends who treat him with respect, said North Korea expert Lam Peng Er.
China's first military parade in six years has been months in the making, according to the BBC.
More than 200.000 flags have been flown across Beijing. Eight large Chinese flags fly and surround a portrait of Mao Zedong, the founder of communist China, which sits atop the Gate of Heavenly Peace and overlooks Tiananmen Square, one of the largest squares in the world.
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Bonus video:
