Chinese leader Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un stood publicly shoulder to shoulder for the first time on Wednesday, ahead of a massive military parade in central Beijing.
That parade, marking 80 years since China's victory over Japan in World War Two, saw Beijing unveil a range of new military hardware – including a new nuclear intercontinental ballistic missile, a new road-bound missile for delivering hypersonic weapons, a new laser weapon, and even robotic dog drones.
This event occurs as Xi seeks to project Beijing's power on the international stage, particularly as a counterweight to the United States amid unsettling tariffs that have impacted the global economic and political environment.
Four BBC correspondents assess the significance of the parade, examining its implications in the context of a shifting global power landscape shaped by the actions of the Trump administration.
An Enduring Image for China - and the World
By Laura Bicker, China Correspondent
One of the most striking images from the military parade was President Xi welcoming North Korea's Kim Jong Un with a lengthy handshake before greeting Vladimir Putin. This public display of unity showcased a carefully orchestrated political theatre.
Trump responded on social media, accusing Xi of conspiring with his allies against the U.S. Xi emphasized in his speech that China is on the 'right side of history.'
China Filling the Vacuum Left by the U.S.
By James Landale, Diplomatic Correspondent
China's exhibition of military prowess was no shock to Western leaders. President Xi has long positioned himself as a central figure in a new world order, challenging existing global systems established post-World War Two. The quick embrace of China by countries like India, propelled by U.S. tariffs, raises concerns in the West about a shift in power dynamics.
A Clear Message to Donald Trump
By Steve Rosenberg, Russia Editor
All the diplomatic efforts and the optics were undoubtedly aimed at sending a message to the Trump administration. The gathering of Xi, Putin, and other leaders was emblematic of an alternative coalition to the U.S.-led order.
The Weapons that Worry the West
By Frank Gardner, Security Correspondent
The military parade, featuring advanced weaponry such as hypersonic missiles and autonomous drones, serves as a reminder of China's military modernization efforts, increasingly posing a challenge to U.S. dominance. The strategic implications of these developments will undoubtedly capture the attention of defense analysts worldwide.
