Beijing, Sep 03: Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday said the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is “unstoppable” as the country’s military displayed for the first time some of its brand-new weapons, including hypersonic, laser and long-range ballistic missiles.

Addressing an impressive parade to commemorate the 80th anniversary of China’s victory against Japanese aggression in World War II, Xi called on the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) to provide strategic support for national rejuvenation and make greater contributions to world peace and development.

The Chinese military for the first time displayed in the parade some of its most advanced military hardware in an apparent show of strength to the world, especially the US.

Xi, who heads the Central Military Commission (CMC), the overall high command of the PLA, asked the Chinese military to build itself into a world-class force and resolutely safeguard national sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity.

China is the second largest defence spender after the US. Its annual defence budget this year amounted to USD 250 billion.

Besides the military hardware, the parade also showcased China’s diplomatic power as 26 foreign leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, attended the event.

From India’s neighbourhood, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Nepal Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli and Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu took part in the event.

India’s Ambassador to China Pradeep Kumar Rawat attended the event, according to sources.

Leaders from the US and heads of the European Union, besides Japan and South Korea have stayed away from the parade.

The presence of foreign leaders at the parade has become a diplomatic spat between Japan and China after Tokyo urged the world leaders to refrain from attending.

China lodged a diplomatic protest with Japan for its request to the world leaders not to attend the event.

In his speech, Xi said victory against Japan in WWII marks China’s first complete victory against foreign aggression in modern times.

Noting that the victory was achieved under a national united front against the Japanese aggression led by the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC), Xi said that the Chinese people made a major contribution to the salvation of human civilization and the defence of world peace with immense sacrifice in the war.

“Only when nations across the world treat each other as equals, live in harmony and mutually support one another can common security be safeguarded, the root cause of war eliminated, and historical tragedies prevented from recurring,” he said, flanked by Putin and Kim

“Today, humanity is again faced with a choice between peace or war, dialogue or confrontation, and win-win outcomes or zero-sum games,” Xi said.

“The Chinese people will stand firmly on the right side of history and on the side of human progress, adhere to the path of peaceful development, and join hands with the rest of the world to build a community with a shared future for humanity,” he added.

He called on Chinese people of all ethnic groups to stay united and work hard under the “strong leadership” of the CPC to build a “strong country and advance national rejuvenation on all fronts”.

At the parade, China for the first time displayed a range of new weapon systems which included new-type DF-5C liquid-fuelled intercontinental strategic nuclear missiles.

State-run Global Times reported that the missile has an estimated range of more than 20,000 kilometres, and has advantages in defence penetration and precision.

It can cover the entire globe under its strike range, it quoted an expert as saying.

Other weapon systems on display included, a vehicle-based laser defence weapon, four types of aircraft carrier-based jet fighters, deep-sea drones, H-6J long-range bomber, airborne early warning aircraft, army and navy drones, DF-26D anti-ship ballistic missiles with a range of 5000 km, CJ-1000 long-range hypersonic cruise missiles, air defence systems, HQ-29 ballistic missile interceptor, ‘Carrier killer’ missiles, new battle tank Type 99B and multiple rocket launchers.

Washington, Sep 03: US President Donald Trump on Wednesday launched a blistering attack on Chinese President Xi Jinping for hosting Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at a grand military parade in Beijing.

In a strongly worded post on Truth Social, Trump accused the trio of “conspiring against the United States” and questioned whether China would acknowledge the American soldiers who “gave their blood” to help liberate the country during World War II.

The event was held to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.

In a post that was part condemnation and part sarcasm, Trump questioned whether China would acknowledge the role the United States played in helping liberate it from Japanese occupation during World War II.

“The big question to be answered is whether or not President Xi of China will mention the massive amount of support and ‘blood’ that The United States of America gave to China in order to help it to secure its FREEDOM from a very unfriendly foreign invader,” Trump wrote.

“Many Americans died in China’s quest for Victory and Glory. I hope that they are rightfully Honored and Remembered for their Bravery and Sacrifice! May President Xi and the wonderful people of China have a great and lasting day of celebration,” he added.

In a striking closing line, Trump quipped: “Please give my warmest regards to Vladimir Putin, and Kim Jong Un, as you conspire against The United States of America.”

Trump’s remarks come as Beijing hosts an elaborate military parade featuring some of its closest allies, including Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

Footage from the event showed Kim shaking hands with Xi, in a rare public appearance outside North Korea. Xi was also seen warmly greeting Putin, following their recent meeting at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tianjin.

The parade marks eight decades since the end of World War II, during which China suffered immense casualties during its fight against imperial Japan.

The US and China were wartime allies in the 1930s and 1940s, before relations eventually soured during the Cold War and again in recent years over trade, technology, and global influence.

New Delhi, Sept 03: China showcased an array of advanced military technology, including nuclear-capable ballistic missiles, hypersonic weapons, laser systems, and giant underwater drones, during a massive parade in Beijing. According to a BBC report, the event underlined Beijing’s ambitions to project military strength and signalled potential implications for Taiwan, which China claims as its territory.

The parade, staged along Changan Avenue in central Beijing, brought together thousands of soldiers from different branches of the People’s Liberation Army. For the first time, three leaders, Chinese leader Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un were seen at the same international event, alongside 26 heads of state. The meeting of the three leaders has drew global attention as many political analysts and media correspondents are highlighting its geopolitical significance.

Among the weapons unveiled were a new intercontinental ballistic missile capable of carrying nuclear warheads, a road-mobile launcher for hypersonic weapons, a cutting-edge laser system, and robotic dog drones. Analysts noted that China’s investment in hypersonic glide vehicles and cruise missiles, such as the YJ-17 and YJ-19, places it ahead of the United States in certain areas of weapons development, reports BBC. The presentation also included the AJX002, an 18-metre-long underwater drone designed to carry nuclear payloads.

Despite still lagging behind Russia and the United States in the overall size of its nuclear arsenal, China is rapidly expanding both the quantity and sophistication of its missile forces. Defence experts expect the parade to be closely studied by the Pentagon, New Delhi and other militaries worldwide.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s participation drew further attention. He arrived in Beijing on Tuesday aboard his armoured green train, accompanied by his daughter Kim Ju Ae, whom South Korea’s intelligence services have identified as his likely successor, reports BBC. During the parade, Kim was seen speaking with Xi and later met Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, inviting him to visit Pyongyang, according to reports. He also greeted Myanmar’s junta chief Min Aung Hlaing, marking their first public appearance together.

The parade served as both a display of China’s growing technological prowess and a reminder of its strategic partnerships. Political observers say even though Beijing’s nuclear capabilities remain smaller than those of Washington or Moscow, its progress in advanced systems such as hypersonics, lasers, and autonomous weapons reflects its determination to modernise its military and challenge existing power balances.

The BBC reported that the event coincided with US criticism, with President Donald Trump posting on Truth Social to accuse Xi, Putin, and Kim of conspiring against American interests. For several geopolitical analysts and observers, the Beijing parade was more than a ceremonial show of force.

It offered clues about China’s long-term military strategy, particularly its posture towards Taiwan, and underscored the shifting dynamics of global power in Asia.