By Sarah Sankel
Correspondent
Tensions across the world ran high on Sept. 3 as China displayed its military might in an internationally broadcast parade.
As a climax to the various World War II remembrance celebrations this year, Sept. 3 marked the 80th anniversary of Japan’s surrender to the Chinese government. The People’s Republic of China celebrated with a military parade at Tiananmen Square in Beijing, where, according to CNN World, over 50,000 people gathered.
The Chinese military is the largest in the world, boasting about 2 million soldiers, according to The Economist. This is its first parade since 2019, and the display was meant to showcase the military's growth and improvement since then, particularly in the realm of military technology.
President Xi Jinping presided over the parade, saying in his speech that “today, humanity again has to choose between peace and war, dialogue and confrontation, win-win co-operation or zero-sum games,” according to The Economist.
By connecting World War II to the present day, Xi warned the world of the military capabilities and power of China amidst current international tensions. In Xi’s own words at the parade, according to The Independent, China is “unstoppable.”
According to Naval News, the parade boasted a large number of nuclear-capable and supersonic missiles in addition to the rows of soldiers, tanks, and patriotic flags. In addition, the Chinese military displayed its recent advancements in drone technology. This show of military might has been viewed in recent days as a message to the West, as leaders are confronted with the impressive military capabilities of China.
What unsettled the West more, however, was an appearance of Xi alongside President Vladimir Putin of Russia and Kim Jong Un, the Supreme Leader of North Korea, according to CNN World. This show of solidarity is particularly significant after President Donald Trump’s recent meeting with Putin in Alaska.
Trump responded to the parade on Truth Social, according to NBC News, writing, “may President Xi and the wonderful people of China have a great and lasting day of celebration. Please give my warmest regards to Vladimir Putin, and Kim Jong Un, as you conspire against The United States of America.”
According to NBC News, the Russian government said that they thought Trump was being ironic, assuring the West that “no one was plotting any conspiracies.”
While the West analyzed the meaning of the impressive parade, Chinese citizens seemed to be filled with enthusiasm and patriotism. According to NBC News, one user on Weibo, a Chinese social media platform, wrote “I’m grateful that our country made us feel so secure.”
The military parade is also significant in China’s relationship with Taiwan. According to The Economist, American officials believe that Xi has set a deadline for the Chinese military: it must be ready to take Taiwan by 2027.
Responses to the parade in Taiwan were mixed. One Taiwanese citizen, according to AP News, said that it was a way for Xi to “say thank you to the troops” and that it was “very cool.”
However, according to Reuters, Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te wrote on his Facebook page, “The people of Taiwan cherish peace, and Taiwan does not commemorate peace with the barrel of a gun.”
