September 3, 2025
There’s a multifront effort by China to gather together [world leaders] in different settings with different narratives to show an alternate leadership to the United States.
Historian of modern China John Delury, commenting on China’s military parade held Wednesday in Tiananmen Square. China’s leader Xi Jinping was joined by the leaders of 26 countries, including Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, to oversee marching troops and new weapons, including intercontinental ballistic missiles.
Why It Matters: China’s show of force with Russia and North Korea signals growing alliances that could challenge U.S. influence abroad and impact America’s security and economy.
- The highly staged parade comes as China faces a stagnating economy and military upheaval: “Since 2023, dozens of top generals and defense industry executives have disappeared or been removed on corruption charges.”
- At the same time, China has sought greater influence on the world stage as the Trump administration has cut foreign aid and pursued new trade deals with other countries.
- On Truth Social, President Trump responded to China’s military parade, telling President Xi: “Please give my warmest regards to Vladimir Putin, and Kim Jong Un, as you conspire against The United States of America.”
Learn More:
- China’s Xi, flanked by Putin and Kim, shows off “new generation” weapons (Washington Post Gift Link)
- China displays its military strength in a parade on the 80th anniversary of the end of WWII (Associated Press)
- Xi and Putin stand shoulder to shoulder as China casts itself an alternative global leader (CNN)
Image Credit: Sputnik
by Karly Code, based in Kentucky
