Why China’s Victory Day Parade Matters: A Look At The Latest Weapons Unveiled

Last Updated:September 03, 2025, 10:13 IST

From laser weapons to hypersonic missiles, J-35 stealth fighters, the parade unveiled technologies that could redefine warfare, while signalling a defiant challenge to the West

Xi’s Red Flag limousine, a symbol from Mao’s era to Nixon’s 1972 visit, carried him through the Victory Day parade, reinforcing continuity and ambition. (AP Photo)

Beijing’s Tiananmen Square transformed into a stage for China’s military might on Wednesday, as President Xi Jinping led a meticulously choreographed ‘Victory Day’ parade commemorating the 80th anniversary of World War II’s end.

With over 10,000 troops, advanced weaponry, and foreign leaders like Russia’s Vladimir Putin and North Korea’s Kim Jong Un by his side, the event was more than a historical nod—it was a bold declaration of China’s ambitions to reshape the global order.

From laser weapons to hypersonic missiles, the parade unveiled technologies that could redefine warfare, while signalling a defiant challenge to Western dominance. Why does this matter to the world? Let’s dive into the parade’s geopolitical weight, its historical echoes, and the cutting-edge arsenal that stole the spotlight.

A Defiant Alliance: Xi, Putin, And Kim’s Power Play

The image of Xi Jinping walking alongside Putin and Kim was a geopolitical thunderclap. For the first time, these leaders—heads of nations often at odds with the West—appeared together publicly, projecting unity against the US-led global framework. The parade, attended by leaders from 26 countries, including Iran, Pakistan, and Myanmar, showcased China’s role as a magnet for non-Western powers. This gathering was not just ceremonial; it signalled a deepening coalition, with China as its anchor, amid tensions over trade, technology, and regional conflicts like Ukraine.

Xi’s speech set the tone, declaring China “never intimidated by any bullies" and stressing its “unstoppable" rise. Without naming the US, he alluded to “Western hegemony," a nod to China’s narrative of overcoming a “century of humiliation" under foreign powers. The presence of leaders like Iran’s Masoud Pezeshkian and Myanmar’s junta chief Min Aung Hlaing underscored a bloc wary of Western sanctions and influence. Only two European leaders—Slovakia’s Robert Fico and Serbia’s Aleksandar Vucic—attended, highlighting the event’s tilt towards authoritarian regimes.

This matters globally because it crystallizes a shift towards a multipolar world. China’s military, now rivalling the US in key areas, backs its diplomatic clout. The parade’s timing, just after a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, amplified Xi’s vision of a China-led global order.

For nations like India, navigating this divide is tricky—Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to China shows engagement, but tensions over Taiwan and the South China Sea loom large. The parade signals rising risks of an arms race and strained alliances, as democracies grapple with this emboldened axis.

Historical Weight: Tiananmen’s Dual Legacy

The parade’s setting in Tiananmen Square carried profound symbolism. China framed the event as a tribute to its WWII sacrifices against Japan, claiming a “major contribution to saving human civilisation." Yet, Tiananmen also evokes 1989, when tanks crushed pro-democracy protests, killing hundreds to thousands—a taboo subject in China, where censorship stifles discussion. The sight of armoured vehicles rolling past stirred painful memories for survivors, juxtaposing Communist pride with repression.

Xi, in a Mao suit under Mao Zedong’s towering portrait, embodied this duality. As China’s most dominant leader since Mao, he has sidelined predecessors, with Jiang Zemin deceased and Hu Jintao absent from public view. The parade’s goose-stepping soldiers—a Prussian-born tradition tied to authoritarian regimes like Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union—reinforced discipline and nationalism. In China, “zheng bu" is mandatory in schools, and its adoption by Hong Kong police post-2019 protests shows its enduring role in projecting control.

Globally, this historical framing matters because it legitimises Xi’s narrative of restoring China’s greatness. By highlighting WWII, Xi contrasts past Western alliances with today’s rivalries, while Kim’s daughter, Ju Ae, on her first overseas trip, hints at North Korea’s succession plans, potentially cementing this anti-Western alliance for decades.

The Weapons That Could Reshape Warfare

The parade’s centrepiece was China’s military tech, revealing advancements that unnerve rivals. Over 100 aircraft, including stealth fighters, and ground displays showcased a modernised People’s Liberation Army (PLA). Here’s what stood out and why it is a global game-changer.

Laser Weapons: A New Frontier

China unveiled two air-defence laser systems: one for warships, another on an eight-wheeled truck. These “directed energy weapons" use electromagnetic bursts to disable drones or sensors via heat or electrical disruption. Unlike missiles, a laser shot costs mere cents, making them economical against drone swarms. The truck-mounted version addresses past power limitations, suggesting battlefield readiness. For the US, reliant on carrier groups in the Pacific, these lasers pose a stealthy, cost-effective threat, potentially neutralising air defences.

Undersea Drones: Silent Dominance

Two extra-large unmanned underwater vehicles (XLUUVs) debuted, cementing China’s lead in this domain. The AJX002, 18-20 metres long, and a wider variant with masts emerged from a three-year trial. Likely designed for reconnaissance, torpedoes, or mines, these drones could operate undetected in contested waters like the Taiwan Strait. With China boasting the world’s largest XLUUV programme, per naval analysts, they challenge US submarine dominance, raising stakes in maritime conflicts.

Hypersonic Missiles: Unstoppable Speed

The YJ-17, a naval version of the DF-17 ballistic missile, is headlined with its hypersonic glide vehicle. Capable of “extreme manoeuvres" and near-pinpoint accuracy, it is potentially nuclear-capable and joins the YJ-15, YJ-19, and YJ-20 anti-ship missiles. Launched from China’s vast navy, these weapons threaten US carriers across the Indo-Pacific, with speeds exceeding Mach 5, defying traditional defences. This arsenal signals China’s intent to deter naval incursions, particularly near Taiwan or the South China Sea.

Aerial Prowess: Stealth And Power

Over 100 aircraft, including J-35 stealth fighters and H-6 bombers, flew in formations spelling “80" with slogans like “Peace Will Prevail". Command and transport planes underscored the PLA Air Force’s modernisation. Since China’s last war in 1979, Xi has pushed for a “world-class" military, and these assets could secure air superiority in regional conflicts, a critical factor in any Taiwan scenario.

Global Ripples: Pride, Power, And Peril

In China, the parade sparked fervour. Over 50,000 spectators waved flags, and Weibo hashtags like “September 3rd Grand Military Parade" topped searches, with 85 million livestream viewers. Posts like “My tears won’t stop coming down" reflected patriotism, though censorship silenced dissent. Internationally, the parade’s implications are profound. China’s military tech—lasers, drones, hypersonics — forces rivals to rethink defences, risking an arms race. Economically, it pressures supply chains; diplomatically, it emboldens allies like Russia and North Korea.

Xi’s Red Flag limousine, a symbol from Mao’s era to Nixon’s 1972 visit, carried him through the parade, reinforcing continuity and ambition. As helicopters proclaimed “Justice Will Prevail," the unveiled weapons told a different story: China’s ready to challenge the world.

For nations balancing cooperation and caution, like India, the parade is a wake-up call to navigate a shifting global landscape where power, not peace, may dictate the future.

Shilpy Bisht

Shilpy Bisht, Deputy News Editor at News18, writes and edits national, world and business stories. She started off as a print journalist, and then transitioned to online, in her 12 years of experience. Her prev...Read More

Shilpy Bisht, Deputy News Editor at News18, writes and edits national, world and business stories. She started off as a print journalist, and then transitioned to online, in her 12 years of experience. Her prev...

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First Published:

September 03, 2025, 10:13 IST

News explainers Why China’s Victory Day Parade Matters: A Look At The Latest Weapons Unveiled