Jens Asbjørn Bøgen
Russia’s Vladimir Putin, India’s Narendra Modi and North Korea’s Kim Jong-Un are also invited.
Russia’s Vladimir Putin, India’s Narendra Modi and North Korea’s Kim Jong-Un are also invited.
What is happening?
Beijing is preparing for a major military parade next week to mark Victory Day (V-Day), and this year’s event could carry serious geopolitical weight.
Held in Tian’anmen Square, the parade will spotlight both historical remembrance and China’s current military ambitions—raising eyebrows across the region and beyond.
A somber anniversary with modern overtones
This year’s V-Day marks 80 years since Japan’s surrender in World War II and the end of the Second Sino-Japanese War—a brutal conflict that claimed over 35 million Chinese lives.
It’s also been eight decades since Taiwan was handed from Japanese control to the Republic of China, adding emotional and political weight to the occasion.
Xi Jinping’s military showcase
President Xi Jinping is expected to use the event as a platform to display China’s growing military strength.
Among the weapons on show is the so-called “Guam Killer,” a ballistic missile reportedly capable of hitting U.S. strategic bases.
A surprising move: Taiwan Invited
In a surprising twist, China has extended an invitation to Taiwanese officials to attend the V-Day celebrations on September 3.
While relations between the two remain tense, the gesture could be read as a diplomatic overture—or a strategic play by Beijing to assert its claim over the island.
“A shared history,” says Beijing
Zhu Fenglian, spokesperson for China’s State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, said the parade honors sacrifices made by “all Chinese people,” including those from Taiwan.
She urged both sides of the Taiwan Strait to “remember history, honor the martyrs… and jointly advance the cause of national reunification.”
A carefully orchestrated parade plan
The 70-minute event will unfold in two stages: first, a formal military review by Xi Jinping; second, a full march-past of troops through Tian’anmen Square.
Formations will be meticulously arranged along Chang’an Avenue, a central artery in Beijing’s ceremonial core.
A massive display of Chinese power
According to senior officer Wu Zeke, the parade will feature 45 separate formations and echelons.
Viewers can expect to see airborne flag teams, foot soldiers, armored columns, and aerial flyovers in a highly choreographed spectacle meant to impress both domestic and international audiences.
Advanced weaponry in the spotlight
Wu confirmed that the parade will highlight “new-type combat capabilities.”
This likely includes cutting-edge missile systems, drones, and digital warfare tools.
Xi Jinping to deliver a keynote speech
As both President and head of the Central Military Commission, Xi will deliver a speech during the event.
His address is expected to emphasize patriotism, unity, and national strength—key themes in China’s long-term vision of “national rejuvenation.”
Putin, Modi and Kim Jong-Un also invited
Other than the surprise invite to Taiwan, other leaders such as Russia’s Vladimir Putin, India’s Narendra Modi and North Korea’s Kim Jong-Un are also invited to attend the parade.
Diplomatic eyes on Beijing ahead of SCO summit
With the 2025 Tianjin SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organisation) summit just around the corner, the parade is expected to draw a number of high-level foreign dignitaries.
Their attendance could turn this commemorative event into a significant moment of international diplomacy.
