China has announced that Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will attend a massive military parade in Beijing.
The event, to be held in early September, will mark the official surrender of Japan during World War II.
China’s “Victory Day” parade is also expected to invite 26 other heads of state and government, including Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko, Iranian President Masoud Pezashkian and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto.
Chinese President Xi Jinping will lead the ceremony in Tiananmen Square, where military parades and demonstrations of advanced military technology such as fighter jets, missile defense systems and hypersonic weapons will be held.
It is expected to be one of the largest military parades in years, designed to showcase China’s military might and strengthen diplomatic solidarity between China, Russia and countries of the Global South.
The parade is also part of China's narrative that emphasizes its and the Soviet Union's role in defeating the Axis Powers, while promoting national pride and reinforcing domestic political messages.
