Overview

• China staged a large parade in Tiananmen Square to mark the 80th anniversary of Japan’s surrender in World War II.
• Xi Jinping greeted Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un before the event, marking their first public appearance together.
• In his opening speech, Xi said the rebirth of the Chinese nation is unstoppable and framed the moment as a choice between peace or war and dialogue or confrontation.
• Reports described a major display of force with more than 10,000 soldiers and around 100 combat aircraft, showcasing key People’s Liberation Army assets.
• More than 20 foreign leaders were expected to attend, while major Western politicians stayed away, and AFP has reported North Korea’s close ties to Moscow including support for Russia’s war in Ukraine with soldiers.