Beijing: In a chilling display of military prowess, Chinese President Xi Jinping presided over a grand Victory Day parade in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square, showcasing an arsenal of advanced weaponry that has sent shockwaves across the globe. Flanked by Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, Xi unveiled cutting-edge missiles, drones, and laser systems, including the Dongfeng-5C (DF-5C) intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), touted to be 200 times more destructive than the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima in 1945.
The spectacle, marking the 80th anniversary of Japan’s surrender in World War II, underscored China’s growing ambition to challenge the US-led global order.
A Show of Unprecedented Power
The meticulously choreographed parade featured a range of never-before-seen weapons, each designed to assert China’s dominance in modern warfare. The centrepiece was the DF-5C ICBM, with an explosive yield of 3–4 megatons of TNT — equivalent to 200 Hiroshima bombs. Capable of striking targets anywhere on the planet, this nuclear-capable missile sent a stark message to the United States and its allies about China’s strategic deterrence capabilities.
Among other highlights was the YJ-17, a medium-range ballistic missile designed for precision strikes, and the CJ-20A cruise missile, launched from the H-6K strategic bomber. The parade also showcased the LY-1, a ship-based laser weapon system capable of disabling drones and missile sensors, and the HSU-100 unmanned underwater vehicle, drawing comparisons to Russia’s nuclear-armed Status-6 system. Unmanned helicopters, advanced tanks, and combat drones further demonstrated China’s leap in autonomous and high-tech warfare.
A Geopolitical Thunderclap
The presence of Putin and Kim alongside Xi amplified the parade’s geopolitical significance. The trio, representing nations often at odds with the West, presented a united front, with Xi’s speech warning the world of a choice between “peace and war.” He declared China as a nation “never intimidated by bullies,” a veiled jab at the US, while emphasising the country’s “unstoppable” rise. The absence of major Western leaders, with only Slovakia’s Robert Fico and Serbia’s Aleksandar Vucic in attendance, highlighted the growing divide between China’s coalition and the US-led bloc.
US President Donald Trump reacted swiftly, posting on Truth Social, “Please give my warmest regards to Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un, as you conspire against The United States of America.” The Kremlin dismissed the accusation, with spokesman Dmitry Peskov insisting that the event was not directed against any nation. However, analysts noted that the parade’s optics, coupled with the display of devastating weaponry, were a clear signal to Washington and its allies.
Global Reactions And Concerns
The unveiling of the DF-5C, with its potential to carry multiple warheads, has raised alarms in the US, where officials are already tracking China’s rapid nuclear expansion. Reports from the US Department of Defense estimate that China possesses over 600 nuclear warheads, with projections of reaching 1,000 by 2030. The parade’s showcase of laser systems and unmanned vehicles also underscores China’s advancements in countering US missile defences and dominating regional conflicts, particularly in the Indo-Pacific.
In Taiwan, President Lai Ching-te dismissed the parade’s militaristic tone, stating, “Taiwan cherishes peace and does not commemorate it with the barrel of a gun.” Meanwhile, military analysts are scrutinising the implications of China’s new weaponry, particularly the LY-1 laser system and the FH-97 combat-ready stealth drone, which could outpace similar technologies in the US and Australia.
A Message To The World
The parade, attended by over 50,000 spectators and 26 foreign leaders, was not just a display of military might but a strategic communication of China’s global ambitions. Xi’s emphasis on “national rejuvenation” and references to annexing Taiwan underscored the parade’s broader narrative: a China that is no longer a victim of history but a formidable power shaping the future.
As the world grapples with the implications of China’s military advancements, the images of Xi, Putin, and Kim together, coupled with the unveiling of weapons like the DF-5C, have left the US and its allies on edge. The parade has not only showcased China’s technological leap but also its intent to redefine the global balance of power.