China military parade: Putin and Kim Jong-un attend Beijing show of force
A military parade in Beijing, marking the 80th anniversary of Japan’s surrender in World War II, has been seen as a show of force.
The event was attended by Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, but Western leaders were largely absent, with the exception of Slovakia’s Prime Minister, Robert Fico. The event drew criticism from Taiwan, while President Donald Trump accused the three regimes of a potential plot against the United States.
The presence of two former Romanian prime ministers at the event also drew a strong reaction back home.
At the event, Chinese President Xi Jinping was flanked by two internationally contested leaders.
"Today, humanity must once again choose between peace and war, dialogue and confrontation, mutually beneficial cooperation or a zero-sum game," the Chinese leader declared. "We will remain dedicated to the path of peaceful development and will unite with all peoples around the world to build a community with a shared future for humanity."
The statement was widely interpreted as a direct warning to the West, coming as China increasingly asserts its ambitions as a global superpower. Experts say the event was more than a military spectacle, showing the world how a new alliance between Beijing, Moscow, and Pyongyang is taking shape.
Mr Trump, writing on his social media platform Truth Social, quipped that the three leaders were conspiring against Washington, an accusation the Kremlin rejected.
"No one has planned any conspiracy. No one is weaving intrigues or conspiracies. The thought never even crossed the minds of any of these three leaders," said Yuri Ushakov, a Russian presidential adviser. "Everyone understands the role that the United States, the administration, and President Trump personally play in the current international situation."
The Romanian defence minister, Ionuț Mosteanu, described the attendance of former prime ministers Adrian Năstase and Viorica Dăncilă as "a slap in the face to Romania, to democracy, to pro-Europeanism." He called it "an indefensible decision from political figures who held important, dignified positions in Romania."
The parade showcased some of Beijing's military innovations, including hypersonic missiles, submarine drones, and a weaponised "robotic wolf." The sky was crisscrossed by helicopters with massive banners and by fighter jets in formation. The event in Tiananmen Square was attended by 20 heads of state and government, mainly from Asia, Africa, and countries friendly to China.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
