Xi warns the world faces “peace or war” as China parades military might with Putin and Kim present

Xi Jinping has warned the world faces a choice between “peace or war” as China staged its largest-ever military parade in Beijing, flanked by Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un in a striking show of defiance against the West.

Before a crowd of more than 50,000 at Tiananmen Square, the Chinese leader declared that his nation would “never be intimidated by bullies” and described China as “unstoppable”. His remarks set the tone for a display that analysts say was carefully choreographed to signal unity with Russia and North Korea at a moment of deepening global divides.

Putin and Kim, both authoritarian leaders under heavy Western sanctions, stood alongside Xi as he delivered his speech marking the 80th anniversary of the end of the second world war, which China commemorates as the victory over Japanese aggression. The trio’s joint appearance — chatting, smiling and walking the red carpet together — sent a powerful visual message that Beijing, Moscow and Pyongyang are drawing closer.

“Today, mankind is faced with the choice of peace or war, dialogue or confrontation, win-win or zero-sum,” Xi told the audience.

The military parade that followed unveiled a formidable array of Chinese weaponry, much of it being shown publicly for the first time. Armoured vehicles rolled past, squadrons of fighter jets roared overhead, and formations of drones and troops marched in lockstep. Among the most eye-catching were hypersonic missiles designed to threaten US naval forces in the Pacific, new underwater drones, and the DF-61 intercontinental ballistic missile, which Chinese officials say could carry nuclear warheads to long-range targets.

“This display is intended to give the United States, Europe and China’s neighbours pause should they consider challenging China’s core interests,” said Drew Thompson, a senior fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies.

The timing of the spectacle underscored its political intent. Just days earlier, China hosted a summit in Tianjin for leaders of the global south, also attended by Putin, in what many saw as Beijing’s attempt to position itself as a leader of a new world order. Kim’s presence was particularly notable — it was only his second overseas trip in six years, and the first time he had been publicly seen alongside both Xi and Putin.

US President Donald Trump responded swiftly with a barbed message on Truth Social. “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,” he wrote.

Putin’s visit to Beijing came as Russia continued its war in Ukraine, launching fresh air strikes overnight that injured railway workers and forced Poland to scramble its air defences. Kim, accompanied by his daughter Kim Ju-ae, was also seen greeting Xi and Putin warmly, underlining North Korea’s role in this emerging bloc.

Analysts described the moment as a deliberate act of diplomatic grandstanding. “Beijing is sending a message that even if Western countries continue to sanction Russia over Ukraine, China will not be afraid to stand by its friend,” said Wen-ti Sung, a non-resident fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Global China Hub.

Whether the three leaders would hold a formal trilateral meeting remained unclear. Lim Chuan-Tiong of the University of Tokyo said: “If all three were to meet, it would highlight a potential new cold war dynamic. If not, it may reflect China’s desire to avoid openly provoking the US while still demonstrating solidarity.”

Xi’s speech also repeated his long-held theme of the “rejuvenation of the Chinese nation” — widely understood as his overarching goal of unifying China, including annexing Taiwan. The People’s Liberation Army, despite facing corruption purges, has undergone rapid modernisation under his watch.

The parade, bristling with new military hardware and nationalist symbolism, left little doubt about the message: China, alongside Russia and North Korea, is determined to challenge the Western-led order — and is prepared to back its words with firepower