China’s President Xi Jinping staged a powerful display of political theatre in Beijing this week, using a grand military parade to send a clear message to Washington and its allies: China is ready to challenge the US-led global order.
The most striking image of the day was not the advanced weaponry rolling through Tiananmen Square, but Xi flanked by two of the world’s most sanctioned leaders Russia’s Vladimir Putin and North Korea’s Kim Jong Un. The trio, together for the first time, climbed the Gate of Heavenly Peace to watch the spectacle, evoking Cold War symbolism while underscoring China’s growing dominance within this alliance.
As the ceremony unfolded, former US President Donald Trump reacted angrily on Truth Social, accusing Xi, Putin, and Kim of conspiring against America. His outburst appeared to affirm the impact Xi intended stealing the limelight from Washington and asserting China’s role as a counterweight to Western influence.
Xi declared that China is a “great nation that is never intimidated by any bullies,” as 50,000 spectators looked on. The military might on display included hypersonic missiles, nuclear-capable systems, and drone technology designed to rival Western arsenals. The show of force came with a symbolic 80-gun salute, marking 80 years since China’s victory over Japan in World War II.
The parade also resonated at home, fuelling nationalism amid China’s economic struggles: a slowing economy, a real estate crisis, and rising youth unemployment. For Xi, the spectacle provided both a distraction from domestic challenges and an opportunity to reinforce unity under his leadership.
But beyond the pageantry, the event carried geopolitical weight. By embracing Putin and Kim, Xi underscored Beijing’s central role in an Eastern-led coalition. North Korea remains dependent on Chinese aid, while Russia seeks legitimacy as it wages war in Ukraine. The alignment unsettles Western capitals, particularly in Europe, where leaders remain wary of China’s expanding military and ambitions toward Taiwan.
“The great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is unstoppable,” Xi declared. For Washington and its allies, the message was unmistakable: China is positioning itself as the driving force of a new global order.
