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Xi, Putin, and Kim Showcase Rare Unity at Beijing Parade Marking WWII Anniversary
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![Photo of Ivan Khomenko]( "Photo of Ivan Khomenko")
Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian leader Vladimir Putin, and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un appeared together in Beijing on Wednesday during a large military parade marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.
According to Le Monde on September 3, the event symbolized a rare public show of unity among the three leaders, who walked the red carpet side by side before reviewing troops on Tiananmen Square.
The parade featured more than 10,000 soldiers, hundreds of tanks, missile launchers, drones, and aircraft.
It was designed to showcase China’s growing military capabilities as well as its diplomatic reach. State television broadcast only a few seconds of the three leaders together, underscoring the symbolic weight of their joint appearance. More than 20 foreign heads of state and government attended, but no major Western leaders were present.
Xi Jinping declared that “the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is unstoppable” and insisted that humanity faces a new choice “between peace and war, between dialogue and confrontation.” He called for avoiding “historic tragedies,” referring to Japan’s occupation of China during the 20th century.
Putin used the occasion to thank North Korea for its “special units” that, according to him, had participated in the fighting in Russia’s Kursk region.
“On behalf of the entire Russian people, I want to thank you for this participation in the common struggle against modern neo-Nazism,” he said, according to Le Monde.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump responded from Washington, writing on his Truth Social account: “Please give my warmest regards to Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un, who are conspiring against the United States of America,” while also wishing Xi and “the wonderful people of China” a “great celebration day,” DW reported.
Kim Jong Un, rarely seen abroad since the pandemic, had not appeared alongside other world leaders for years. His presence was viewed as a diplomatic achievement for Beijing, coinciding with China’s hosting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit earlier this week.
Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico was among the few European leaders to attend, underlining divisions within the EU on relations with Moscow and Beijing.
The joint appearance of Xi, Putin, and Kim comes at a time of heightened geopolitical tensions. According to Le Monde, Beijing framed the event as a commemoration of victory against Japanese militarism and Nazi Germany, while also projecting an image of resilience against Western influence.
For Russia, the presence of Putin in Beijing served as a signal that Moscow is not isolated despite its war in Ukraine. According to DW, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov denied Trump’s claim of a conspiracy, insisting that “there were no such thoughts” among the three leaders.
North Korea’s participation also underscored Pyongyang’s deepening alignment with Moscow. Western intelligence has reported the transfer of North Korean ammunition to Russia since 2023, while thousands of North Korean personnel have been sent to assist Russian forces, particularly in the Kursk region.
For Washington, Trump’s reaction highlighted both his criticism of adversaries and his claim that the US military remains unmatched.
“We have the most powerful armed forces in the world, without question,” he said, adding that it would be “the worst thing they could do” if China, Russia, and North Korea attempted to challenge them.
Earlier, on September 2, Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin held talks in Beijing, where they addressed tariff disputes and pledged to resolve them “in a constructive spirit” while reaffirming closer cooperation in energy, transport, and defense.
