By Emeka Blast 
War or Peace: Xi Jinping’s Stark Message at Military Parade
Beijing, China – Chinese President Xi Jinping declared that humanity faces a critical choice between “peace or war, dialogue or confrontation” during a massive military parade in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, marking the 80th anniversary of Japan’s defeat in World War II. Flanked by Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, Xi’s speech and the unprecedented display of military might underscored China’s ambition to lead a new global order, amid strained relations with the West.
The “Victory Day” parade, described as China’s largest-ever, featured thousands of troops, hypersonic missiles, intercontinental ballistic missiles like the DF-61, underwater drones, and advanced laser weapons, per Reuters and CNN. Helicopters trailed banners proclaiming “Justice will prevail” and “Peace will prevail,” culminating in the release of 80,000 peace doves, symbolizing China’s dual message of strength and peace, as reported by The Guardian. Xi, dressed in a Mao-style tunic, reviewed the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) from an open-top Red Flag limousine, calling out, “Greetings, comrades!” to the 10,000-strong force.
The presence of Putin, Kim, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, and Myanmar’s junta chief Min Aung Hlaing—labeled the “Axis of Upheaval” by Western analysts—marked a defiant show of unity against Western sanctions and influence, per Reuters. Notably, only two Western leaders, Slovakia’s Robert Fico and Serbia’s Aleksander Vucic, attended, highlighting the event’s anti-Western tilt, as noted by The Washington Post.
In his speech, Xi emphasized China’s commitment to “the right side of history” and its “unstoppable” rise, casting World War II as a turning point for the “great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation,” per Al Jazeera. He warned against “hegemonism and power politics,” a veiled critique of the U.S., amid tensions fueled by President Donald Trump’s tariffs and accusations of a China-Russia-North Korea conspiracy, as posted on Truth Social. Trump’s remarks, which the Kremlin dismissed as “figurative,” sparked debate, with @XHNews tweeting, “Xi: The Chinese nation’s rejuvenation is unstoppable. #VictoryDay2025.”
The parade showcased China’s military modernization, with new weaponry like the YJ-21 hypersonic anti-ship missiles and AJX002 underwater drones drawing concern from Western defense analysts, per CNN. Jennifer Parker of UNSW Canberra told The Guardian, “This parade is about sending a specific message of force, not just commemorating history.” Meanwhile, domestic challenges, including PLA corruption purges and economic headwinds, were overshadowed by the spectacle, per Foreign Policy.
The event, attended by 26 world leaders and 50,000 spectators, followed the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Tianjin, amplifying China’s diplomatic clout, per NBC News. Social media buzzed with reactions, with @GlobalTimes tweeting, “Xi’s vision for a multipolar world takes center stage! #BeijingParade.” Critics, like @FreedomWatch, countered, “Xi’s ‘peace’ rhetoric masks a power grab. The West must stay vigilant.”
Analysts noted the parade’s strategic timing, as U.S.-China tensions escalate over trade and Taiwan, with Xi’s references to “national rejuvenation” hinting at Beijing’s stance on the island, per The New York Times. The absence of major Western leaders and India’s Narendra Modi, despite his recent engagement with Xi, underscored complex global alignments, per BBC News.
Xi’s call for a “community with a shared future for humanity” aligns with China’s push for a multipolar world, but the parade’s optics signal a challenge to the U.S.-led order, per TIME. As global markets brace for volatility amid tariff disputes and geopolitical shifts, the event reinforces China’s military and diplomatic ascent. With the PLA’s modernization ongoing and regional tensions simmering, Xi’s message of peace through strength sets a bold tone for 2025.
