‘Axis of Aggressors’ Leaders Unite at Military Parade Showcasing Chinese Prowess

Latest Developments

Defiant Against the West: Chinese President Xi Jinping stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un at a military parade in Beijing as they attempted to project a united and defiant front against a U.S.-led world order. The trio were joined by leaders of more than 20 other mostly authoritarian nations at the parade in Tiananmen Square commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Allied victory over Imperial Japan. “Today humanity is again faced with the choice of peace or war, dialogue or confrontation, win-win or zero sum,” declared Xi, adding China is a “great nation that is never intimidated by any bullies.”
Trump Issues Reminder of American Role: President Donald Trump reacted to the spectacle on social media by facetiously telling Xi to give his “warmest regards” to Putin and Kim as they “conspire against The United States of America.” Trump noted that the parade focused mainly on China’s role in defeating Japan, asking “whether or not President Xi of China will mention the massive amount of support and ‘blood’ that The United States of America gave to China in order to help it to secure its FREEDOM from a very unfriendly foreign invader.” The Trump administration recently expressed outrage against Putin for backtracking on the progress toward a peace deal with Ukraine that the U.S. leader touted following their meeting in August.
Promoting Chinese-Led World Order: The parade took place a day after the conclusion of the two-day Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit, where attendees promoted an anti-Western, multipolar world order with China as its key actor. Russia and China signed 22 cooperation agreements during the summit in areas ranging from energy and science to healthcare, agriculture, and media. Since its invasion of Ukraine, Russia has worked to insulate its economy from crippling international sanctions, reinforcing its defense supply chain by bolstering its ties with China, Iran, and North Korea.

FDD Expert Response

“Neglected in Xi Jinping’s celebration of the 80th anniversary of Japan’s defeat in World War II were at least three salient facts. One: The Japanese surrendered to the Americans aboard the battleship Missouri on September 2, 1945. Two: It was the Chinese Nationalists (the Kuomintang or KMT), more than the Chinese Communists (CCP), that did most of the fighting against the Japanese. Three: The Japanese surrendered to the KMT on September 9.” — Clifford D. May, Founder and President

“Even with marquee guests, the parade highlights a coalition of convenience, not a compact of commitment. China’s military advances are real, yet command turmoil, corruption shockwaves, and weak interoperability — especially in joint ops and logistics — undercut Beijing’s ability to credibly project power beyond its near seas.” — Craig Singleton, China Program Senior Director and Senior Fellow

“The parade offers the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) an opportunity to showcase its most advanced capabilities, but a military is more than a commitment to spending on lethal weaponry. With major questions hanging over the force’s highest echelons, the display may be covering up more fundamental rot, ill preparation, and disunity amongst PLA personnel.” — Jack Burnham, Research Analyst