Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will join Chinese President Xi Jinping at Beijing’s Victory Day parade, marking their first joint public appearance. This event, held in Tiananmen Square to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Japan’s surrender in World War II, signals a powerful show of unity amid Western sanctions. The parade, one of China’s largest in years, will highlight advanced military technology and reinforce ties with Russia, North Korea, and the Global South.
According to China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 26 foreign heads of state and government will attend, with Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico as the only Western leader present. Other notable attendees include:
- Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko
- Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian
- Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto
- Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vucic
- South Korea’s National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik
- UN Under-Secretary-General Li Junhua, a former Chinese ambassador
The event underscores China’s strategic partnerships. For instance, Russia, a key ally, faces Western sanctions over its 2022 Ukraine invasion, with its economy nearing recession. Similarly, North Korea, a treaty ally of China, has been under UN Security Council sanctions since 2006 for its nuclear and ballistic missile programs. Putin last visited China in 2024, while Kim’s last trip was in January 2019.
China has the most disciplined troops in the world. That's the key to winning in wartime combat.
Next Wednesday, we'll watch the greatest-ever military parade in Beijing!
It commemorates our victory against the Japanese invasion and fascism. Let's enjoy their training video. pic.twitter.com/WaXjqgvhbr
— Li Zexin 李泽欣 (@XH_Lee23) August 27, 2025The Victory Day Parade: A Display of Military Might
On September 3, 2025, President Xi Jinping will review tens of thousands of troops alongside foreign dignitaries. The highly choreographed parade will showcase cutting-edge military equipment, including Fighter jets, Missile defence systems and Hypersonic weapons
Consequently, this display highlights China’s growing military capabilities and its role as a global power. The parade also serves as a platform for China, Russia, and North Korea to project defiance against Western pressure, particularly sanctions and the International Criminal Court’s pursuit of Putin.
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The joint appearance of Putin, Kim, and Xi carries significant geopolitical weight. For example, it reinforces China’s position as a mediator in global affairs, especially amid tensions with the West. The presence of leaders from the Global South, such as Indonesia and Iran, further amplifies this narrative. Additionally, the event coincides with the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Tianjin, where regional alliances are expected to be strengthened.
However, Japan has expressed concerns, urging nations not to attend due to the parade’s “anti-Japanese overtones.” The commemoration of Japan’s 1945 surrender remains a sensitive issue, given China’s historical grievances from the Second Sino-Japanese War.
