On the morning of September 3, 2025, in Beijing’s symbolic heart—Tiananmen Square—tens of thousands of Chinese troops staged what has been described as the largest military parade in the nation’s modern history. The event, commemorating the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II and China’s victory over Japan, showcased China’s most advanced military systems, sending a powerful and unmistakable signal to the world.
Yet, the parade was not merely a military display. It carried the hallmarks of political theater and diplomatic signaling. China invited a broad spectrum of international leaders, presenting itself not as an isolated adversary of the West but as a legitimate leader of the Global South. Attendance amounted to a vote of confidence in Beijing’s role, while notable absences conveyed equally important messages.
Regional Messages and Absences
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Philippines: Absent despite its importance to Beijing. Manila’s deep ties to Washington and its frontline position in the U.S. alliance system near China likely explain its no-show.
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Singapore: Sent only the Deputy Prime Minister, signaling careful neutrality—or even subtle alignment with Washington.
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Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Cambodia, Myanmar: Their presence gave Beijing diplomatic cover, reflecting Southeast Asia’s preference for pragmatic cooperation with China despite ongoing disputes in the South China Sea.
The Sino-Russian Axis
The most symbolic moment came as President Vladimir Putin sat beside President Xi Jinping. For Moscow, bogged down by the war in Ukraine and Western sanctions, Beijing’s stage offered much-needed legitimacy. For China, it was proof of a deepening strategic trust with Russia—an alignment extending beyond immediate crises.
At the very moment Washington was mediating talks between Kyiv and Moscow, Xi and Putin used the occasion to privately discuss post-war scenarios, peace prospects, and even visions for a new global order—though no details were disclosed.
Xi’s Narrative War
Xi Jinping’s speech before more than 50,000 attendees attempted to reclaim historical memory long dominated by Western narratives that credited primarily the U.S. and Soviet Union for defeating Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan. Xi insisted that China was a pivotal force in the defeat of Japan and a founding member of the postwar international order.
While cautious toward Tokyo, Xi acknowledged Japan’s historical responsibility without resorting to inflammatory rhetoric. Instead, he called for the creation of a “shared destiny for the Asia-Pacific community”—a careful balance of deterrence and diplomacy. He linked China’s past as a victimized nation, its present as a rising power, and its future as an architect of a reshaped international order.
Strategic Signaling to Washington
For analysts, the parade was not ceremonial pageantry but a calibrated strategic act—a message to both domestic and global audiences. To its citizens, it provided pride and confidence; to the world, it projected deterrence.
The clearest message, however, was directed at the United States:
“You are not alone in the universe.”
China sought to show itself as a responsible international power, surrounded by growing circles of friends and partners, backed by a modern military, and led by a determined leadership intent on shaping the next global system.
The Chinese Nuclear Triad
China’s most dramatic demonstration was the unveiling of its nuclear triad—the ability to deliver nuclear strikes by land, sea, and air. With this, Beijing announced it had joined the exclusive club of fully mature nuclear powers.
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Land-based deterrent: The new Dongfeng-61 ICBM, mobile and maneuverable, with multiple warheads and a range capable of reaching any continent. A modernized Dongfeng-31 was also paraded.
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Sea-based deterrent: The Julang-3 SLBM, launched from nuclear submarines, ensuring China can deliver a “second strike” even after a surprise attack.
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Air-based deterrent: The Jingli-1 air-launched missile, giving Chinese bombers flexible reach against distant strategic targets.
Together, this triad confirms that no adversary can strike China without risking devastating retaliation. Beijing also displayed the Dongfeng-5C, an ICBM with a 20,000 km range and up to 12 warheads— theoretically capable of striking anywhere on Earth.
Hunting U.S. Aircraft Carriers
Beyond nuclear weapons, Beijing emphasized anti-ship capabilities, targeting the crown jewels of U.S. naval power: aircraft carriers.
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Yingji-15 hypersonic missile: Designed to track and strike large warships with near-impossible-to-intercept speeds.
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Yingji-21 “Carrier Killer”: A hypersonic ballistic missile with a 1,500 km range, maneuverability, and speeds up to Mach 10. It can be launched from both ships and bombers, giving China dual-domain strike capability.
These weapons are central to China’s A2/AD (Anti-Access/Area Denial) strategy, aiming to make U.S. carrier operations in the Western Pacific prohibitively risky.
Electronic and Space Warfare
China also revealed systems targeting satellites and drones:
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HQ-29 system: Designed to intercept ballistic missiles and satellites in low-earth orbit—blinding adversaries’ surveillance and communications.
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Laser weapons: Low-cost defenses against swarms of drones.
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Microwave weapons: To disrupt or disable drone controls.
Together, Beijing dubbed these capabilities the “Iron Triad Against Drones”.
Naval Drones and Underwater Dominance
Beijing paraded unmanned submarines like the HSU-100 and AJX-002, capable of surveillance and mine-laying, signaling preparation for Taiwan blockades or sea-lane disruptions. Analysts noted these systems echo lessons from modern hybrid warfare—particularly sabotage like the Nord Stream pipeline attack.
Expanding Air Power
China unveiled advanced carrier-based aircraft:
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J-15T: Capable of both ski-jump and catapult takeoff, flexible for older and newer carriers.
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J-15DT: Electronic warfare variant designed to jam enemy radars.
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J-35 stealth fighter: The crown jewel, representing China’s shift from “coastal defense” to blue-water power projection.
The Bigger Picture: A Military Giant in a Bottle
Despite the impressive spectacle, experts caution that much of China’s arsenal remains untested in real combat. Some systems are still in “deployment while testing” stages. Others may exist only in small numbers. The Chinese military also faces challenges in joint operations, logistics, and command structures, having not fought a major war since 1979.
Moreover, military parades trigger counter-reactions. The U.S. is accelerating its military posture in Asia, while Japan and other regional powers are raising defense budgets and tightening alliances. President Donald Trump even quipped on Truth Social about Xi’s meeting with Putin and Kim Jong Un: “So you are conspiring against the United States?”
Thus, Beijing’s parade was a double-edged sword: a declaration of pride and deterrence, but also a spark for new alignments and arms races.
Conclusion
The 2025 Tiananmen military parade revealed both China’s ambitions and its constraints. It was at once a reminder of history, a declaration of present power, and a bid to shape the future world order.
Yet the true test lies ahead: whether this carefully choreographed display translates into battlefield effectiveness. For now, China remains a giant in a bottle—immensely powerful, but awaiting the moment of release.
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