Credited from: ALJAZEERA
China is set to stage a massive military parade on September 3, 2025, in Beijing, commemorating the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II following Japan's surrender. The event will feature hundreds of aircraft, including advanced fighter jets and bombers, as well as new ground equipment that has never been publicly displayed before, according to Reuters and Al Jazeera.
The parade, which is the second since 2015 to observe the formal surrender of Japanese forces, aims to demonstrate China's military strength amid concerns from neighboring countries and Western nations about the expansion of China's military capabilities. Military experts anticipate that China will unveil a variety of new weapons, including missile systems and precision-strike weapons capable of reaching speeds of five times that of sound, according to Channel News Asia and Reuters.
The parade, expected to last about 70 minutes and consisting of 45 troop formations, will be reviewed by President Xi Jinping at Tiananmen Square, with foreign leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, in attendance. This could mark a significant display of military solidarity and strength, especially given the historical context, as noted by The Jakarta Post and Channel News Asia.
Military officials note that new armaments, particularly in missile technology including anti-ship capabilities and hypersonic weaponry, will be of keen interest to military attaches and security analysts. Wu Zeke, deputy director of the military parade, stated that the showcased equipment will highlight the military's capacity to adapt to technological advancements and evolving warfare patterns, asserting their readiness for future conflicts, as discussed in reports by Reuters and The Jakarta Post.
Since early August, authorities have ramped up security in Beijing, implementing checkpoints, redirecting traffic, and closing nearby shopping malls and offices during the preparatory stages for the parade. Two large-scale rehearsals have already taken place, attended by tens of thousands of participants from various sectors including troops and police, according to Channel News Asia and Reuters.