BEIJING, 28 August 2025 — In a powerful display of geopolitical alignment, Chinese President Xi Jinping will be joined by the leaders of Russia, North Korea, Iran, and Myanmar at Beijing’s upcoming Victory Day military parade. The event, scheduled for 3 September, commemorates the 80th anniversary of Japan’s surrender in World War II and underscores a deliberate visual rebuke to Western dominance.
This gathering of sanctioned and strategically aligned nations has earned them the moniker “Axis of Upheaval,” reflecting their shared interest in reshaping the existing global order. Tens of thousands of troops will march through Tiananmen Square alongside a high-profile guest list that conspicuously excludes most Western leaders.
Notable attendees include Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un—both making rare public appearances with Xi—alongside Iran’s President Masoud Pezashkian and Myanmar’s junta chief Min Aung Hlaing.
Political analysts view the collective absence of Western representation as a strategic statement. Only Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico and Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vučić—both viewed as more sympathetic to East-leaning policies—will represent European countries.
This ceremony dovetails with escalating global tensions—from disagreements over Taiwan to sanctions resulting from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The parade will showcase China’s advancing military might—hypersonic missiles, modern fighter jets, and more—amid an assertive regional posture.
This convergence at a symbolic wartime commemorative event carries far-reaching geopolitical significance. Beyond patriotic display, it forms a stage for China to reinforce strategic solidarity with nations outside the Western sphere of influence. In doing so, China positions itself not just as a regional heavyweight, but a global power with diplomatic and military allies ready to counterbalance U.S.-led systems.
Source: Reuters
