On September 3, 2025, leaders from 26 countries congregated in Beijing to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II with a significant military parade. Chinese President Xi Jinping led the event, showcasing military hardware and marching troops in a demonstration of solidarity with nations allied to China. Notably present were Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, who attended this rare foreign trip, both positioned alongside Xi on the viewing platform overlooking Tiananmen Square. Their joint appearance is interpreted as a direct challenge to the U.S.-led international order.
While the parade galvanized attention, leaders from the United States, Western Europe, Japan, and India notably abstained from attending. Countries like South Korea and Singapore opted to send lower-level officials, which highlighted the growing influence of China in the Global South and among emerging economies. The attendees predominantly hailed from Asia, Africa, and the Americas, reflecting a shift away from traditional Western allegiance.
The event featured several key figures considered adversaries of the U.S. Apart from Putin and Kim, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian also attended, symbolizing a common front among these leaders. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, a close ally of Russia, was seen engaging with Kim and other leaders shortly after arriving in Beijing.
Many Asian leaders participated in the parade, including Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, who initially canceled his trip due to domestic protests but ultimately joined his counterparts from Southeast Asia, such as Cambodia’s King Norodom Sihamoni, Vietnamese President Luong Cuong, and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. Notably, Myanmar's military leader, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, also marked his presence.
Other attending leaders from South and Central Asia comprised Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. From the African continent, Zimbabwe's President Emmerson Mnangagwa and the Republic of Congo's President Denis Sassou Nguesso were also included in the guest list. Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel notably represented the Americas as the sole attendee from the region.
The roster of invited leaders closely mirrored participants from the recent Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit. However, notable absences included representatives from India and Turkey, marking a subtle yet significant snub of the event by countries traditionally aligned with the West. Despite this, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed positive sentiments regarding his meetings with Xi and Putin via social media, suggesting a desire to maintain diplomatic channels.
European participation remained sparse, with only Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico joining Putin and Lukashenko from Europe. Former Romanian Prime Ministers Adrian Nastase and Viorica Dancila further attended the parade, showcasing a mix of former leadership with the current crop of leaders.
