China Military Parade 2025: Beijing is set to host one of the most high-profile military parades in its modern history on September 3, as world leaders gather to mark the 80th anniversary of Japan’s defeat in the second world war.
For President Xi Jinping, the parade is as much about commemorating China’s “war of resistance against Japanese aggression” as it is about projecting military might and positioning China as a challenger to the western-led global order.
What do we know about China’s Military Parade?
The event will unfold in Tiananmen Square, where tightly choreographed ranks of soldiers and combat-ready weaponry are expected to be on display. It underscores China’s growing role as a global power and its increasing alignment with states that share a sceptical or oppositional stance towards the west.
The parade, timed to highlight China’s narrative of resistance and resilience, sends a dual message of honouring past sacrifices while signalling present-day strength against western influence.
Who will attend?
China’s foreign ministry has confirmed that 26 heads of state will attend the 2025 Victory Day parade, alongside numerous foreign dignitaries. The guest list is dominated by leaders from Asia, Africa and Eastern Europe, with only Serbia and Slovakia representing the west.
Notable attendees include Russian President Vladimir Putin, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. They will join a broad array of leaders such as Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Pakistan army chief Asim Munir, Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, and Cuba’s Miguel Diaz-Canel.
Others expected include Nepal’s K. P. Sharma Oli, Malaysia’s Anwar Ibrahim, Armenia’s Nikol Pashinyan, and Zimbabwe’s Emmerson Mnangagwa, reflecting the global breadth of support China has cultivated.