During the parade, which marks that it is 80 years since the end of World War II, more than 10,000 soldiers, tanks and parts of China's robot arsenal passed by the Tiananmen Square. More than 100 military aircraft flew by. Some of the military equipment was shown publicly for the first time.
It includes, among other things, gigantic underwater drones, a new intercontinental ballistic missile – DF-61 that can transport nuclear warheads to distant targets – as well as powerful lasers and robot wolves. The latter is an update of the robot dogs that were previously shown.
"China is unstoppable"
In his opening speech, Xi said that China is unstoppable. But he also said that the "causes of war" should be eradicated to prevent history from repeating itself.
About 20 foreign dignitaries were present in the Chinese capital. In addition to Putin and Kim Jong-Un, who traveled to Beijing with his daughter Kim Ju-Ae, who is believed to be next in line for the dictatorship's succession, were also, among others, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Myanmar's junta leader Min Aung Hlaing.
Trump greets
One who, on the other hand, is not in Beijing is US President Donald Trump. He writes on his platform Truth Social that China has the US to thank for a lot and wishes Xi and the Chinese people a fantastic day, but ends sourly:
"Please extend my warmest greetings to Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-Un, while you conspire against the US."
Xi Jinping did not mention the US in his opening speech but expressed gratitude to the countries that helped China against Japan during the war.
