'Axis of upheaval': Putin and Kim flank Xi at Victory Day parade as China showcases military might

China is all set to stage what it calls its largest-ever military parade on Victory Day on Wednesday (Sept 3), using the occasion both to commemorate Japan’s surrender in World War II and to showcase its rising military power.

More than two dozen world leaders are expected to attend the spectacle, where China will roll out some of its newest and most advanced weapons. Weeks of rehearsals have been held in Beijing, with tight security across the capital.

‘Axis of Upheaval’

For the first time, Xi Jinping, Putin, and Kim will appear together publicly — a moment Western analysts have dubbed an “Axis of Upheaval.” Putin and Kim signed a defence pact last year, while China remains Pyongyang’s only formal ally and a key partner for Russia.

The parade will also be attended by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Myanmar’s military ruler Min Aung Hlaing, along with a total of 26 foreign leaders and an estimated 50,000 spectators.

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Victory Day marks the 80th anniversary of Imperial Japan’s surrender in 1945. China formally designated September 3 as Victory Day in 2014. This year’s event will be Xi Jinping’s third military parade since taking office in 2012.

The 70-minute-long parade will display China’s growing military strength, featuring hypersonic weapons, nuclear-capable missiles, fighter jets, and underwater drones. Xi is also expected to deliver a keynote speech during the ceremony.