Leaders from 26 nations gathered in Beijing on September 3, 2025, to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II with a military parade. The event, hosted by Chinese President Xi Jinping, showcased China’s military strength and aimed to reinforce solidarity among countries aligned with Beijing.
Among the notable attendees were Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, both of whom made rare foreign trips to participate. The trio ascended to the viewing platform at Tiananmen Square, where they observed an elaborate display of military hardware and marching troops. Observers noted that this joint appearance highlighted a united front against the United States, particularly given the absence of leaders from the U.S., Western Europe, Japan, and India.
The guest list reflected China’s expanding influence in the Global South and emerging economies. Leaders from various Asian countries attended, including Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, who initially canceled his visit due to domestic protests. He was joined by Southeast Asian counterparts, including Cambodia’s King Norodom Sihamoni and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, as well as military leader Min Aung Hlaing from Myanmar.
The presence of South Asian leaders such as Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Nepali Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli further emphasized the region’s support for China’s initiatives. Central Asian leaders, including Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Tajikistan’s President Emomali Rahmon, also participated, showcasing a broad range of alliances.
Notably, Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel represented the Americas, standing out as the only leader from that region at the event. Additionally, leaders from Azerbaijan and Armenia were present, further expanding the geographical diversity of the guest list.
The event closely followed the annual summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, which further highlighted the connections among attending leaders. While many European leaders were absent, Serbia’s Russia-friendly President Aleksandar Vucic and Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico represented their nations.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared his positive sentiments regarding his meetings with Xi and Putin on social media platform X, underscoring the diplomatic engagements surrounding the parade. He described his conversations with Putin as “insightful” and termed his meeting with Xi as “fruitful.”
The military parade in Beijing not only commemorated a significant historical event but also showcased China’s growing geopolitical influence, with leaders from various regions demonstrating their alignment with Beijing’s vision as they stood together in a display of unity.
