China’s 2025 Victory Day Parade: A Display of Power and Purpose
Introduction and Historical Context
On September 3, 2025, China hosted a sweeping military parade in Beijing’s iconic Tiananmen Square, celebrating the 80th anniversary of Japan’s surrender in World War II—a conclusion to what China refers to as the “Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression” or the “World Anti-Fascist War.
This event, officially titled the "Conference to Commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the Victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War," was held along Chang'an Avenue.
Over 12,000 troops participated in the parade, including personnel from the People’s Liberation Army’s various branches. President Xi Jinping, in his role as General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, reviewed the troops, while Premier Li Qiang served as master of ceremonies and General Han Shengyan acted as the chief parade commander.
This event followed months of preparation. The official logo was unveiled in May 2025 by the State Council Information Office, and high-ranking PLA officer Wu Zeke declared that the parade would showcase China’s “new-type combat capabilities.”
Symbolism and Speeches
Xi Jinping’s opening remarks were deeply symbolic. He hailed the “immense national sacrifice” of the Chinese people in defense of human civilization and world peace, calling the PLA a “heroic force that the party and the people can fully trust.
” Xi framed the current era as a crossroads between peace and war, stating that China stands firmly on the “right side of history,” will never be “intimidated by bullies,” and that the “rejuvenation of the Chinese nation” is unstoppable.
These words resonated against a backdrop of geopolitical tension—Xi’s refrains about peace and global harmony were entwined with a clear message of self-reliance and military preparedness.
Geopolitical Guests & Global Messaging
The parade drew more than just domestic attention—over 20 foreign leaders were in attendance.
Among them were Russian President Vladimir Putin,
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un,
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif,
Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto,
Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian,
President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko. Leaders from Central Asia and descendants of World War II veterans from Europe and the U.S. were also present.
The presence of Putin and Kim, standing side by side with Xi, was a powerful image—one that Western analysts described as the formation of an emerging anti-Western bloc, or a nascent “authoritarian alliance.
This array of leaders served as theater—symbolic reinforcement of a shifting global power structure.
At the same time, regional reactions were mixed. In Taiwan, some individuals viewed the parade with national pride; others, including President Lai Ching-te, expressed alarm over the growing military threat and psychological impact of such displays.
Propaganda and Perception
Observers called the parade a masterful performance of "deterrence theater." The message was loud and clear: China possesses the tools to punish intervention and survive escalation.
As one analysis put it, the parade was less about changing the balance of power immediately, and more about demonstrating the cost of a potential contest.
Still, some critics saw the spectacle as emotionally sterile, effective in intimidation but lacking warmth or spontaneity—what one commentator described as propaganda that “alienates outsiders” rather than drawing them in.
Military Technology on Full Display
At the heart of the parade was China’s most advanced military hardware—many systems revealed to the public for the first time, signaling China’s deepening modernization drive.
Nuclear Triad: Land, Sea & Air
One of the most significant revelations was the formal debuts of elements in China’s growing nuclear triad:
DF-61 ICBM: A previously unseen intercontinental ballistic missile with an estimated range of ~12,000 km (approx. 7,500 miles), enabling it to reach U.S.territory.
Four DF - 61 launchers were visible on 16-wheel mobile TELs.
Other ICBMs paraded included variants DF-31BJ and older models, indicating a layered modernization.
JL-3 SLBM: A submarine-launched ballistic missile with MIRV capability and approx. 10,000 km range; reinforces China’s sea-based deterrent.
Air-launched JL-1: Completing the air component of the triad.
Hypersonic and Regional Strike Systems
China’s parade also highlighted its range-extending strike capabilities:
DF-17: A high-profile hypersonic glide vehicle system.
DF-26 “Guam killer” and related variants showcased regional missile reach.
YJ-series missiles: Multiple anti-ship and hypersonic variants like YJ-15, YJ-17, YJ-19, YJ-20, and YJ-21 emphasized naval strike capability.
Next-Generation and Domain Expansion
Beyond missiles, the parade displayed advanced systems signaling domain-wide ambitions:
HQ-29 interceptor: Positioned as China’s answer to U.S. SM-3, indicating anti-ballistic and potentially anti-satellite capabilities.
The formal participation of PLA’s aerospace, cyberspace, and information support forces underscored a shift toward integrated “intelligentized” warfare.
Naval Capabilities: Missiles, Lasers, and Drones
China’s naval forces also received prominence in the parade:
Naval surface-to-air missiles: HHQ-9C (long-range defense), HQ-16C (medium-range), and HQ-10 (short-range) were paraded.
LY-1 directed-energy weapon: A shipborne laser platform showcased for the first time.
Uncrewed naval drones: Underwater surveillance UUV (HSU100), mine-warfare AJX002, and surface unmanned vessels were on display, indicating advanced autonomous maritime systems.
Naval aviation: Debuts included KJ-600 AEWC (airborne early warning), J-35 stealth fighter, Y-9 ASW aircraft, GJ-11 UCAVs, and folding-rotor helicopter UAVs—pointing to carrier group modernization.
Armored Units and Systems
A new Type-100 tank, a hybrid-powered Chinese medium-weight main battle tank, made its public debut. Equipped with a 105 mm gun, advanced armor, and a two-to-three crew complement, it represented a leap in ground capabilities.
Broader Military Innovation
Beyond equipment, the parade featured AI-powered drones and cyber-electronic warfare assets. Analysts suggested the display was a deliberate message: China is preparing for multidomain conflicts where space, cyber, and AI will be decisive.
Strategic Implications and Global Reactions
International Impact
Western security analysts urged stronger deterrence. The display of hypersonic missiles, drones, and advanced aircraft was viewed as a direct challenge, particularly in the context of Taiwan. One analyst noted that while the parade was not an alliance like NATO, it projected a powerful alliance of convenience.
While China’s presentation was aimed at deterrence, it also raised concerns of an accelerating arms race—especially with its tripling of nuclear warhead stockpile in recent years.
Regional Tensions
For regional neighbors—Taiwan in particular—the event intensified anxiety. Taiwan’s president viewed the parade as psychological warfare, while citizens showed mixed reactions: some pride, some alarm. The International Crisis Group highlighted a gradual desensitization among the public to military displays.
Media and Commentary
Commentators likened the parade to “deterrence theater” and used phrases like “authoritarian alliance” or “grand strategy.” Some criticized its propagandistic nature—flawless but sterile; powerful, but emotionally distant. Western media urged the U.S. and allies to reassess preparedness and strategic unity.
Looking Ahead: What It Means for the Future
China’s Victory Day Parade 2025 was more than a historic commemoration—it was a calibrated signal that echoes beyond Tiananmen Square.
Modernization Trajectory
The unveiling of a maturing nuclear triad, hypersonic missiles, advanced drones, laser weapons, and new armored vehicles confirms China's long-term military modernization strategy. These systems mark not momentary showpieces but structural shifts toward future conflict readiness.
Strategic Messaging and Power Projection
By hosting key authoritarian leaders and spotlighting cutting-edge technologies, China signaled its ambition to lead a multipolar world. Coupled with domestic rhetoric about rejuvenation and sovereignty, the parade was as much a metaphysical assertion of power as it was military.
Pressure on Global Actors
The parade raised the stakes for the U.S. and regional allies. Maintaining strategic balance now involves contending with faster timelines, greater risk, and evolving domains like cyber, space, and unmanned systems.
Domestic Narratives vs. Global Reality
While China portrayed itself as a peace-seeking nation rebuffing “bullies,” the Führer-like choreography and militaristic aura suggest an alternative reading: a nation asserting dominance, suppressing spontaneity, and prioritizing virtue over warmth.
Conclusion
The 2025 China Victory Day Parade was a spectacle of unmatched scale, precision, and symbolism—woven with historical commemoration, cutting-edge technology, and strategic theater. Its blend of nostalgia and novelty, war memory and future warfare, domestic unity and international signaling, constructed a new narrative of Chinese power.
As the dust settles on Chang’an Avenue, the world watches—and contemplates—the shifting balance of global military and geopolitical equilibrium.
What do you think about the parade?
Does it send any signal?
Is any nation the target?
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