Chinese President Xi Jinping recently welcomed world leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, to its largest ever victory day, presenting China’s military prowess and vision for the future.
The event marked the country’s first Victory Day military parade in 10 years and the first time China organised a grand military parade to commemorate 80 years since the end of the war.
What Was on Display?
At the parade, China unveiled nuclear-capable missiles that can be launched from land, sea, and air simultaneously, marking the first public display of its complete “triad” of nuclear-ready capabilities.
These missiles included the Jinglei-1, an air-based, long-range missile; Julang-3, a submarine-based intercontinental missile; and Dongfeng-31 and Dongfeng-61, land-based intercontinental missiles.
China also presented the Yingji-17, Yingji-19, and Yingji-20, which are hypersonic antiship missiles that China has tested against prototypes of US aircraft carriers.
Also on display were drones with the ability to function underwater, as well as in the air, some of which are intended for reconnaissance missions and precision strikes. Additionally, unmanned helicopters designed for ship-based launches were featured in the parade. Cruise missiles, Changjian-20A, Yingji-18C, Changjian-1000, and hypersonic missiles Yingji-21, Dongfeng-17, and Dongfeng-26D also appeared during the event.
The parade also featured a performance by a military band and choir while Xi made a speech addressing 50,000 spectators at Tiananmen Square.
“Today, we are faced with the choice of peace or war, dialogue or confrontation, win-win or zero-sum,” said Xi, adding that the Chinese people “firmly stand on the right side of history”. He said.