In the first week of September 2025, China hosted two dozen world leaders for a huge Victory Day Military parade in Tiananmen Square to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II and Japan’s surrender. It was only the second time Beijing has held a Victory Day parade, the first having taken place a decade ago. The major highlight of the event and what drew world attention was Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un being seen on the same platform. That image conveyed a sharp slap to the US President Donald Trump who has been targeting the three countries by using tariff as weapons, besides imposing trade barriers.
Though there are several takeaways from the Victory Parade, this article shall address only one issue and that is Kim Jong Un’s proximity with both China and more recently with Russia, particularly Kim’s support to Putin’s Ukraine war by way of supplying weapons and soldiers. While North Korea’s relations with China are time-tested, the recent bonhomie between Kim and Putin has unnerved Trump. When sceptics started interpreting Kim’s growing bonhomie with Putin in the wake of the Ukraine war as Pyongyang drifting away from Beijing to Moscow, Kim’s presence at the military parade dissipated such an impression and signalled China-North Korea realignment, particularly after Trump targeted China on trade issue by imposing high tariffs.
In a message marking the 77th anniversary of North Korea’s founding, Xi Jinping vowed “unwavering strategic policy” with Pyongyang and reaffirmed the pledge for closer ties with North Korea after the historic Kim visit. Standing together with Kim and Putin at Tiananmen Square, Xi emphasised the bond between China and North Korea as “traditional friendly neighbours connected by mountains and rivers”. Xi committed to strengthen strategic communication and enhance exchanges and cooperation with North Korea, working hand in hand to advance the China-North Korea friendship and the socialist cause in both countries, thereby making greater contributions to peace and development in the region and the wider world.
Kim’s three-day visit to Beijing was his first appearance at a multilateral event alongside other heads of state. It was also his first trip to China since 2019. It was a rare overseas trip for the reclusive leader. Kim travelled to Beijing by rail and his entourage included Kim Ju Ae, his daughter, Kim Yo Jong, his sister, Choe Son Hui, North Korea’s first female top diplomat, who was appointed as Foreign Minister in 2022, Kim Song Nam, Director International Affairs Department, Kim Tok Hun, Secretary, Central Committee, Jo Yong Won, Director, Organisation and Guidance Department, Hyon Song Wol, Party official, and Ju Chang Il, Director, Propaganda and Agitation Department.
Virtually seen as No 2 in the hierarchy, Kim Yo Jong, Kim’s powerful sister and deputy director of the publicity and information department of the ruling Workers’ Party of Korea, was part of the Xi-Kim summit. Kim was received and seen off by Cai Qi, the Communist Party’s fifth-ranking official and head of the Central Secretariat, as well as by Wang Yi, the foreign minister and director of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs. During his talks with Xi, Kim reaffirmed support for Beijing’s position on Taiwan, Tibet and Xinjiang as well as other issues central to its “core interests”.
Separately, Kim also had a 2½ hour meeting with Putin, including a one-on-one chat, during which the North Korean leader ~ as part of “brotherly duty” ~ pledged to continue to “help and support Russia” in “any way” as Moscow continues its war in Ukraine. In return Russian President Putin thanked Kim for sending troops to Ukraine. The significance of the parade was that it was viewed by many as a showcase of China’s growing military strength. It was also an attempt by Beijing to cement its global leadership status and to show its rising diplomatic clout.
A key take-away from the parade was of Xi walking down the red carpet to the rostrum with Putin on his right and Kim Jong-un on his left. They were seen smiling and talking. This single scene conveyed that the three countries continue to share not only ideology but also other common values regarding bilateral as well as global issues. It was for the first time that the three leaders, all rivals of the US, gathered in the same place, thereby sending a strong signal of unity against the US-led West.
The military showcase was one of the grandest. The PLA displayed some of its latest military hardware not seen by the public before. The parade involved formations from various military branches, including the PLA Army, Navy, Air Force, Joint Logistics Support Force and Rocket Force, as well as newly established branches such as the Aerospace Force. Beijing showcased at the parade various land-based weapons systems, unmanned aerial vehicles and missile systems, all in service already. A key highlight was the debut of the DF-61, believed to be China’s most advanced intercontinental ballistic missile after the DF-41.
The DF-61 is expected to be part of the PLA Rocket Force’s long-range missile operations. Also appearing for the first time was the JL-3, a new third-generation, intercontinental-range submarine-launched ballistic missile, crucial for the PLA’s sea-based nuclear deterrence operations. By displaying this arsenal, Beijing was clearly conveying that it was not just playing catch-up with the West but preparing for future warfare. In short, the parade was a show of China’s military might.
Besides Putin and Kim, who were the other top leaders who attended the parade? There were some 26 top leaders from around the world, including from Central Asia and Southeast Asia who attended the event. Higher ranked leaders from Southeast Asia, including Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim participated.
Only two heads of government from Europe ~ Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico ~ attended the parade. In contrast to the previous World War II commemoration in 2015 when nearly 1,000 soldiers from 17 countries joined the march, this time it was exclusively Chinese. In the midst of all this, what could not be missed was the coming together of Xi, Putin and Kim as an act of defiance against the US pressure and a powerful message to Trump.
The writer is former Senior Fellow at the PMML, New Delhi