China Victory Day Parade

On 3 September 2025, China held a monumental Victory Day Parade along Changʼan Avenue in Beijing to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II (Victory over Japan). This was China’s most ambitious military display in recent history, intended as both commemoration and geopolitical signaling.

The parade was 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.”

(Source: Wikipedia / English.gov.cn)

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Quick Facts

Item	Detail
Date	3 September 2025
Location	Chang’an Avenue, Tiananmen Square, Beijing
Purpose	Mark 80 years since Japan’s surrender and China’s role in WWII
Troops Involved	Over 12,000 People's Liberation Army personnel
Leadership	Xi Jinping inspected troops; Li Qiang served as master of ceremonies; Lt.-Gen. Han Shengyan was parade commander
Theme / Focus	Military modernization, national resolve, historical narrative
New Elements	Advanced weapon systems (hypersonic missiles, drones, ICBMs) displayed publicly

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Background & Preparation

• The parade’s official logo was unveiled in May 2025 by China’s State Council Information Office.
• Military authorities declared that the event would highlight “new-type combat capabilities” alongside tribute speeches.
• Preparations involved months of rehearsals, logistical planning, and urban enhancements along the parade route.

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Key Moments & Parade Structure

Opening & Inspection

Xi Jinping led the formal inspection, greeting flag guards and veterans, and reiterating China’s narrative of sacrifice, sovereignty, and national revival.

Ground March & Display Units

• Units from all branches—Army, Navy, Air Force, Rocket Force, Cyber & Information, logistics, militia—marched in precise formations.
• Honor guards, militia, reservists, and special units like UN peacekeeping contingents were included.
• Sections invoked the legacy of the Eighth Route Army and New Fourth Army, tying modern PLA to wartime heritage.

Weaponry & Technology Showcase

• Hypersonic glide vehicles, stealth drones, advanced intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), underwater drones, electronic warfare platforms, and AI-enabled systems were prominently featured.
• Aerial flyovers included trainer and combat aircraft, EW (electronic warfare) planes, and early warning aircraft.
• Demonstrative formations were arranged to spell “80” or other symbolic visuals in the sky. (Source: English.gov.cn, defense sites)

Gala & Cultural Performance

In the evening, a gala event included musical and artistic performances celebrating wartime resilience, national identity, and China’s future path.

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Symbolism & Political Messaging

• Xi Jinping’s opening speech framed the parade as part of an ongoing historical struggle: humanity’s choice between “peace or war.”
• The alignment of global leaders at the event (notably Putin and Kim Jong Un) underscored China’s effort to reinforce alternative diplomatic groupings.
• The public display of cutting-edge weaponry served as a signal to regional and global audiences about China’s military reach and deterrence capacity.
• Domestically, the parade reinforced national pride, legitimacy of Communist Party rule, and the narrative of continuous strength. (Source: Reuters, The Guardian, AP News)

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Guest Attendance & Diplomacy

• Around 26 foreign leaders and dignitaries attended, including Russia’s President, North Korea’s leader, and heads from Southeast and Central Asia.
• Many guest invitations aligned with China’s diplomatic priorities, reflecting its attempts to reinforce alliances, particularly among non-Western nations.
• Some invited countries initially hesitated due to historical sensitivities (Japan in particular had concerns over the parade’s political undertones). (Source: Reuters, The Guardian, AP News)

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Reactions & Controversies

• International media interpreted the parade as assertive nationalism and a direct message to the West. (Reuters)
• Xi’s rhetoric about China being “never intimidated by bullies” was seen as a veiled critique of U.S. influence. (The Guardian, Washington Post)
• Some observers warned that the parade’s militaristic overtones could inflame regional tensions, especially with Taiwan, Japan, and U.S. allies.
• Reports emerged of strict domestic censorship and arrests of critics who defamed the commemoration in private messages. (Source: AP News, Reuters)

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Legacy & Implications

• The 2025 parade may serve as a template for future Chinese “Victory Day” events, raising expectations for every decade.
• It bolsters China’s narrative of being a central arbiter of global order and defender of sovereignty.
• Militarily, it showcases how the PLA is advancing toward networked, multi-domain capabilities.
• Diplomatically, the event reinforced China’s pivot toward building coalitions outside traditional Western alignments.
• For analysts, the parade is both symbolic and strategic — part showmanship, part signal in international chessboard.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1. What was the purpose of China’s 2025 Victory Day Parade?

To commemorate the 80th anniversary of Japan’s surrender in WWII and showcase China’s military modernization and political vision.

Q2. When and where was it held?

It took place on 3 September 2025 along Chang’an Avenue in Beijing, centered on Tiananmen Square.

Q3. How many troops participated?

Over 12,000 PLA personnel took part in the parade.

Q4. What kind of weapons were displayed?

Hypersonic missiles, advanced drones, ICBMs, stealth aircraft, undersea drones, and electronic warfare systems.

Q5. Who attended as international dignitaries?

Leaders from Russia, North Korea, Southeast Asia, and Central Asia joined the event, in line with China’s diplomatic outreach.

Q6. What was Xi Jinping’s main message?

He framed the day as a choice between peace or conflict, emphasized Chinese resilience, and implicitly challenged external dominance.