The Military Parade that Defied the West

The Military Parade in Beijing should not be interpreted merely as a military demonstration, but as an act of strategic communication in the international arena. Xi Jinping used the event to reinforce three central messages:

(1) the historical legitimacy of China as a victor of World War II;

(2) the technological-military advances that place it in a position to rival the United States;

(3) the consolidation of a cooperation axis with countries challenging the liberal international order.

By marking the anniversary of Japan’s defeat, Xi Jinping repositions the war narrative as a central element of the “national rejuvenation,” transforming historical memory into a tool of political legitimation. This strategy connects past and present: the China that once suffered invasions and humiliations now presents itself as a power capable of shaping the international system. This is a typical resource of Xi’s diplomacy, the use of history to justify contemporary ambitions.

The display of hypersonic missiles, anti-ship systems, and the nuclear strategic triad seeks to convey to the world that China now possesses, for the first time, a credible deterrent capacity against the U.S. This emphasis on anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) capabilities has a clear focus on the Taiwan Strait, where China’s strategic objective is to prevent or delay any American naval intervention. At the same time, the presence of drones and fighter jets reinforces the idea that Beijing is aligned with next-generation warfare, characterized by advanced technology, artificial intelligence, and multidomain operations.

The presence of Putin and Kim Jong Un, along with other leaders not aligned with the West, symbolizes the formation of a revisionist bloc that challenges the rules-based international order. Although not yet a formal alliance, this public gesture of unity has geopolitical impact: it suggests that Moscow, Beijing, and Pyongyang, each with their own particular interests, are willing to present themselves as a collective counterweight to American influence. This increases the risk of Western perception that a new axis is emerging with the potential to destabilize the global balance.

Behind the grandeur, however, lie vulnerabilities. The fact that China relies on partners like Russia and North Korea, both pressured by sanctions and isolation, may limit its ability to attract allies of greater global prestige. Therefore, China’s strategy risks crystallizing an international division that could, in the long run, hinder its ambition to become the acceptable leader of a new global order.

United States Reaction

Donald Trump’s response, accusing Xi, Putin, and Kim of conspiring against the U.S., reveals that China’s narrative achieved its goal: to provoke and draw the White House’s attention. At the same time, Trump’s attitude of downplaying the military risk suggests ambivalence, which may be read by Beijing as room to intensify its assertiveness. However, in the medium term, the perception of a shared threat tends to strengthen U.S.-led containment mechanisms, whether in NATO, the Indo-Pacific (Quad, AUKUS), or through closer ties with Asian allies.

Conclusion

The parade in Beijing should be seen as part of a larger dispute: the Sino-American competition for leadership in the 21st century. On the one hand, Xi Jinping sought to convey confidence, unity, and strength; on the other, the event exposes the growing polarization of the international system. The joint appearance of Xi, Putin, and Kim may accelerate the formation of rival blocs and intensify the climate of strategic confrontation, bringing the world closer to a logic reminiscent of the Cold War, but this time, with China at the center of the stage.

João Pedro Nascimento is a specialist in International Relations, with a solid academic background and practical experience in business internationalization and mediation of international negotiations. He holds a degree in International Relations from Anhembi Morumbi University (UAM-SP) and a postgraduate degree in Public Policy from the Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná (PUC-PR). He works in global business expansion processes and in the strategic management of partnerships at both national and international levels.

References

GAN, Nectar; MCCARTHY, Simone; LENDON, Brad; et al. China to unveil newest weapons in military parade. CNN, 2025.

MAIMANN, Kevin. China’s lavish military parade could signal an attempted shift in world order. CBC, 2025.

MORITSUGU, Ken; WU, Huizhong. Chinese military parade marks 80 years since the end of World War II. AP News, 2025.