A grand military parade was held in Tiananmen Square, Beijing, to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Chinese people's victory against Japanese aggression and in the World Anti-Fascist War.
The event was broadcasted by China Central Television (CCTV).
The parade was led by President Xi Jinping, dressed in an outfit reminiscent of former leader Mao Zedong. Next to him were the leaders of Russia and North Korea, Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un, as key guests on the podium.
Over 20 heads of state were also present, including Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico.
Ambassadors from European countries, including the Ukrainian ambassador Oleksandr Nechytaylo, declined the invitation due to the attendance of Russian, Iranian, and North Korean leaders.
“Today humanity faces a choice between peace and war, dialogue or confrontation,” said Xi at the central square of Beijing.
He emphasized that the revival of the Chinese nation cannot be stopped, and to prevent historical tragedies from recurring, the root causes of war must be eliminated.
“Collective security can only be achieved when all countries treat each other as equals, live in harmony, and support one another,” Xi stated before the military review.
In his speech, he highlighted that the Chinese people stand firmly on the right side of history.
After his address, Xi took a ride in an open-top limousine to review the troops and advanced military equipment developed and built in China, including new missile systems, tanks, and drones.
The parade lasted for 70 minutes, during which military aircraft, including fighters and helicopters, flew overhead trailing large banners.
The event concluded with the symbolic release of 80,000 doves of peace and colorful balloons.
It is noteworthy that military parades in China are extremely rare and dedicated to significant events for the government. The last parade took place in 2019 to mark the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.
