3 September 2025 | 12:10 CAT
3-minute read

China hosted its largest-ever Victory Day military parade this morning in Tiananmen Square, marking 80 years since Japan’s surrender in World War II. The event unfolded under clear skies, drawing unprecedented attention from across the globe.

For the first time in the parade’s history, 26 heads of state and government attended—a tangible signal of Beijing’s expanding diplomatic reach and ambition. Among the most prominent figures were Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un, who stood side-by-side with President Xi Jinping in a stark display of solidarity.

According to Hafidh Ibrahim on this week’s Media Lens, this significant turnout underscores China’s evolving role on the world stage. Reflecting on the parade’s unprecedented scale, he observed:

“It’s so, you know, Xi Jinping meet with Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un. … I mean, entered the parade … first time a North Korean leader … attended the parade since 1959.”

This rare appearance by Kim, last seen in such a context over six decades ago, underscores a dramatic realignment of historical alliances.

China’s military parade wasn’t just about diplomatic optics—it was a showcase of military modernisation. The PLA paraded cutting-edge weaponry including hypersonic missiles, drone systems, new intercontinental ballistic missiles, and naval unmanned vehicles. It highlighted the nation’s push for a complete nuclear “triad”—land-, air-, and sea-based deterrence.

Ibrahim framed this as a calculated message.

“For the first time ever … saw 26 heads of state attend. … And it comes after … the Shanghai cooperation meeting … What we’re seeing is China use these events and to actually project this image of multi-polarity.”

Indeed, last week’s Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit—which notably included Indian Prime Minister Modi for the first time in seven years—foreshadowed this diplomatic momentum.

Ibrahim critiqued how media across the spectrum portrayed the parade.

“When we look at media coverage … Western media … the China against the West … narrative that … conceals a lot more than it actually shows … there’s not enough talk … that one is Trump’s policies … have alienated allies.”

He emphasised Western outlets tend to oversimplify the event as a monolithic challenge to the West, while Eastern or pro-China outlets often overlook critical issues like human rights or territorial disputes.

“It does talk very pro-China. That doesn’t talk about China’s … aspirations in the South China Sea … very little about the Uyghurs … China’s human rights record.”

In both cases, media coverage—whether sensationalist or celebratory—often omits deeper context, leaving the public with a skewed or incomplete understanding.

Ibrahim spoke about the broader implications, suggesting the parade reflects a realignment of global power.

“Trump and the tariffs have actually forced … many countries … to start taking sides … We’re seeing … the 50 % tariffs on India … there does seem to be this change happening … a multipolar world.”

Indeed, analysts link China’s rising prominence to both Washington’s trade policies and diplomatic alienation of traditional allies.

Listen to the full interview on Sabaahul Muslim with Moulana Sulaimaan Ravat.