The Chinese capital Beijing witnessed on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, the largest military parade in the country’s history to mark the 80th anniversary of the Chinese people’s victory over Japanese occupation and the end of World War II.

In a speech delivered during the event, Chinese President Xi Jinping affirmed that “the rise of the Chinese nation is unstoppable,” expressing confidence that the cause of peace and development for humanity will inevitably prevail.

He added that the world today faces a decisive choice between peace or war, dialogue or confrontation, calling on countries to address the roots of conflicts and prevent the repetition of historical tragedies, emphasizing that shared peace can only be achieved through equality and mutual support.

More than 22 world leaders participated in the celebration, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in a rare visit outside his country to meet the Chinese president.

The celebrations started at dawn, with over 50,000 spectators gathering at Tiananmen Square in Beijing to attend the parade, according to the official CCTV channel amid tight organizational measures. With the raising of the Chinese flag and the playing of the national anthem, the military parade began, described as the largest in number and size since the founding of the People’s Republic of China, and the second of its kind after a similar parade in 2015.

The parade included three main segments: a display of the armed forces, a troop march, and a showcase of the latest combat technologies, involving thousands of soldiers, a squadron of fighter jets, alongside tanks, artillery, modern military vehicles, advanced missiles, and domestically produced naval vessels.

Also displayed were air defense systems, missile batteries, and launchers, highlighting the significant progress of Chinese military development.

The event concluded with the release of a large flock of birds followed by a wave of colorful balloons, adding a symbolic touch that combined military strength with national spirit.