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Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers a speech during a military parade commemorating the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in Beijing, China. This image was released by the Korean Central News Agency on September 3, 2025.
– China leverages anti-Trump sentiment in a diplomatic push.
– Xi presents a strong, healthy image during the parade, meetings, and his trip to Tibet.
– The parade shifts the domestic narrative away from economic issues.
When Xi Jinping organized his initial parade to mark the WWII victory in 2015, he positioned his predecessors alongside him to demonstrate respect and continuity of leadership. Now, a decade later, with domestic opposition subdued as he begins an unprecedented third term, Xi was accompanied at the 80th anniversary celebration by Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un, flanking him at Tiananmen Square. Chinese Communist Party leaders mingled with international guests throughout the event.
The parade came on the heels of Xi’s prominent summit with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization meeting in Tianjin, as well as his rare visit to Tibet last month. This display of diplomatic influence, resilience, and regional ambition has alleviated concerns about Xi’s health and future leadership, which have circulated due to sporadic absences and uncertain succession plans. It has also helped divert attention from sluggish economic growth, analysts say.
During the event, Xi and Putin were overheard discussing organ transplants and the prospect of humans living up to 150 years. Neil Thomas of the Asia Society remarked that Xi’s recent diplomatic activities affirm his control over the Communist Party’s elite politics. Lacking the economic legitimacy of his predecessors, Xi has turned increasingly to nationalism to bolster his image, Thomas noted.
This strategy aims to distract from economic difficulties and foster national pride, even as everyday life remains affected by unemployment, falling real estate prices, and stagnant wages. Xi’s choice of attire— a grey Mao-style suit matching his gray hair— reinforced his elder statesman image, contrasting with the black suits traditionally worn by other leaders.
Premier Li Qiang’s role at the event was limited to minor meetings with leaders from Malaysia and Uzbekistan, as the more prominent engagements with Kim Jong Un, Modi, Turkish President Erdogan, and others were handled by Cai Qi, head of the Party’s Central Secretariat. When asked for comment, China’s foreign ministry highlighted recent diplomatic activities and emphasized China’s commitment to peaceful development and international cooperation.
Many of the visiting leaders have faced U.S. tariffs and sanctions this year, especially India, which continues substantial imports of Russian oil despite Western sanctions over Ukraine. A notable moment was Modi and Putin walking hand-in-hand with Xi during their discussions, symbolizing personal and diplomatic tensions within the broader context of U.S.-China and U.S.-Russia relations. Trump, who complimented the parade as “beautiful” and “impressive,” accused China of conspiring with Putin and Kim to undermine the U.S., a claim the Kremlin dismissed as ironic.
Analysts see Xi’s busy schedule as a demonstration of China’s intention to position itself as a dependable partner for developing nations, offering investments and a new development bank — an expansion of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, including countries like Pakistan, India, and Iran. Eric Olander from the China-Global South Project suggests that China’s message as a stable alternative to the U.S. resonates across Asia, which views Washington as increasingly aggressive. While some states remain cautious about China’s initiatives, the focus on forward-looking development appeals to young populations eager for better job prospects.
Xi faces significant hurdles in managing this complex coalition, especially as he seeks a potential fourth term in 2027 to cement his legacy as China’s most powerful leader since Mao. Ongoing issues like territorial disputes and industrial subsidies are expected to persist, and India’s skepticism toward China is unlikely to fade from a single meeting. Neil Thomas from the Asia Society emphasized that these diplomatic gestures do not necessarily signal a fundamental shift toward a China-led global order.
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