Xi Calls China ‘Unstoppable’ as Putin and Kim Join Historic Military Parade

China’s Bold Declaration Sends Clear Message to Washington

China’s President Xi Jinping declared his nation “unstoppable” at a massive military parade Wednesday, standing alongside Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un in an unprecedented show of authoritarian unity. The historic gathering in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square commemorated 80 years since Japan’s World War II surrender but sent an unmistakable message to the United States about shifting global power dynamics.

The parade showcased China’s most advanced military technology, including hypersonic missiles, underwater drones, and laser weapons systems. This display of strength came as the three leaders met publicly for the first time, creating what many observers see as a direct challenge to American global leadership.

Historic First: Three Strongmen Unite in Beijing

The sight of Xi, Putin, and Kim standing together marked a diplomatic milestone. According to CNN, this was the first time these three authoritarian leaders had appeared together publicly, sending a powerful signal about their shared opposition to Western influence.

“The Chinese nation is the great nation that is never intimidated by any bullies,” Xi declared during his speech to over 50,000 spectators. He emphasized that China’s rise was “unstoppable,” using language clearly aimed at Washington.

The parade featured more than 10,000 troops marching in perfect formation through Tiananmen Square. Xi inspected the forces from atop his state vehicle before delivering his defiant address to the crowd and watching world.

Advanced Weapons Display Showcases China’s Military Power

Beijing used the parade as a showcase for its rapidly advancing military capabilities. The BBC reported that China unveiled several new weapons systems that have caught Western defense analysts’ attention:

Key weapons displayed included:

• DF-61 intercontinental ballistic missiles – capable of reaching the continental United States
• AJX002 underwater drones – massive submarine-like vehicles that dwarf nearby soldiers
• Laser air defense systems – including ship-mounted versions for naval warfare
• YJ-21 hypersonic missiles – weapons that travel above Mach 5, largely unmatched by US systems
• Robot wolves – four-legged autonomous weapons capable of reconnaissance and precision strikes

Military analyst Malcolm Davis from The Australian Strategic Policy Institute told CNN that “China is moving much more rapidly in this critical military technology area than the United States is.” He warned that China is “gaining an advantage that will give them the ability to make it much more difficult for the US and its allies to be able to project power into the Western Pacific in a crisis.”

Putin and Kim’s Strategic Partnership on Display

The parade provided a platform for Putin and Kim to strengthen their military alliance. After the ceremony, the two leaders held a 2.5-hour private meeting where Putin praised North Korean soldiers fighting in Ukraine.

“North Korean soldiers fought courageously and heroically on the front lines against Ukrainian forces,” Putin stated, according to Reuters.

Kim Jong Un responded that it was North Korea’s “fraternal duty” to help Russia. Western officials estimate that around 4,000 North Korean troops have been killed or wounded fighting alongside Russian forces, with approximately 12,000 deployed to Russia’s Kursk border region.

The meeting concluded with Putin inviting Kim to visit Russia, further cementing their partnership against Western interests.

Trump Fires Back: “Conspiring Against America”

President Donald Trump, notably absent from the parade, responded sharply on Truth Social. In a sarcastic post, he wrote: “Please give my warmest regards to Vladimir Putin, and Kim Jong Un, as you conspire against The United States of America.”

The Kremlin quickly pushed back against Trump’s conspiracy allegations. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that “no one is plotting any conspiracies” and hoped Trump’s statement was meant “figuratively, not literally.”

This exchange highlighted the growing tension between Washington and the emerging Beijing-Moscow-Pyongyang axis.

A New World Order Challenge

The parade attracted 26 world leaders, but only two Western representatives attended. This deliberate absence by Western leaders underscored the event’s role as a gathering of nations challenging American global leadership.

Xi’s speech emphasized themes of Chinese nationalism and strength. Standing atop Tiananmen Gate, he warned that the world faced “a stark choice between peace and war, dialogue and confrontation” – language that seemed directed at Western policies.

The symbolic power of 80,000 doves released at the ceremony’s end created a striking contrast with the military might on display, representing China’s claim to pursue peaceful development while building formidable defensive capabilities.

Implications for Global Security

Defense experts worry about the operational implications of this new alliance. While China’s military technology is advancing rapidly, questions remain about combat effectiveness. The BBC’s security correspondent noted that aside from minor border disputes with India, China’s military hasn’t fought a major war since its unsuccessful 1979 invasion of Vietnam.

However, the parade demonstrated China’s commitment to military modernization and its willingness to challenge Western dominance through technology and strategic partnerships.

The timing of the parade, just weeks after Trump met Putin in Alaska to discuss ending the Ukraine war, suggests these leaders are positioning themselves for a prolonged confrontation with American interests.

What This Means for America

The Beijing parade represents more than ceremonial pageantry – it signals a fundamental shift in global power dynamics. The unprecedented unity displayed by Xi, Putin, and Kim creates new challenges for American foreign policy.

The advanced weapons showcased suggest China is rapidly closing the technology gap with the United States. Meanwhile, the deepening Russia-North Korea military cooperation provides Putin with additional resources for his Ukraine campaign while giving Kim valuable combat experience for his forces.

For Americans, this development underscores the need for renewed focus on military innovation, alliance-building with democratic partners, and strategic thinking about competing with this emerging authoritarian bloc.

The parade’s message was clear: China views itself as “unstoppable,” and it’s building the military and diplomatic partnerships to back up that claim. How the United States responds to this challenge may define international relations for decades to come.