Military equipment and troops on exhibition during China's grand marching event

China's Military Parade: A Show of Strength on the 80th Anniversary of World War II

In a significant display of power, China held a military parade on a central Beijing avenue on Wednesday, marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. The event, highly choreographed and tightly controlled, attracted leaders from around the world, highlighting a coalition of states with a clear agenda against the USA.

For the first time, key rivals of the US, including North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Chinese President Xi Jinping, gathered at the same venue. The subway system running along Chang'An Avenue was shut down Tuesday night into Wednesday morning to make way for the parade.

The parade route was empty and closed, with commercial buildings along it also emptied and closed until the parade ended. Most people watched the parade on television or a livestream, as it wasn't accessible to the general public. The event was strictly controlled, with barriers set up to keep the public one block away.

The parade featured new units such as the cyberspace unit, information support force, and others. The cyberspace unit, in charge of cybersecurity defense measures, participated in live-fire drills. A new intercontinental ballistic missile, the DF-61, was displayed in the parade. Hypersonic missiles designed to take out ships at sea were also shown for the first time.

One of the most intriguing aspects of the parade was the attendance of former political rivals Sir John Key and Helen Clark, who shook hands and took photos with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Other foreign leaders who attended included the president of Iran and Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India. The nations represented among the roughly two dozen invited leaders underscored a coalition of states opposed to the USA.

The parade served as a show of strength from China, a nation devastated in WWII, now confronting the US and Japan as allies. The AJX002, a long, black tube-shaped underwater drone, was one of the many advanced military technologies on display, symbolising China's growing military capabilities.

The information support force, created in 2024 to build network information systems to support military combat readiness, was also included in the parade. This underscores China's commitment to modernising its military and enhancing its technological capabilities.

The parade was a clear message from China, demonstrating its military might and strategic alliances. As the world watches, the geopolitical landscape continues to shift, with China playing a more prominent role in global affairs.