Overview

• Xi Jinping presided over a Victory Day parade in Tiananmen Square featuring about 10,000 troops and the first public presentation of land, sea and air nuclear capabilities together.
• Missiles on display included the new DF-61 and DF-5C ICBMs, the JL-3 submarine-launched missile and the JL-1 air-launched system, alongside hypersonic anti-ship weapons, underwater drones, laser defenses and robotic ground platforms.
• Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attended in a rare joint appearance with Xi, underscoring a high-profile diplomatic tableau.
• Xi urged the PLA to accelerate modernization to safeguard sovereignty and territorial integrity, while analysts said the lineup reflected a focus on deterring moves toward Taiwan’s independence.
• The Pentagon estimates China has 600-plus operational nuclear warheads and projects more than 1,000 by 2030, as some experts caution that many showcased systems lack combat testing; U.S. President Donald Trump called the parade impressive and said its message was intended for him.