CHINA – Chinese President Xi Jinping warned the world was facing a choice between peace or war, as he held his country’s largest-ever military parade yesterday, flanked by Russia’s Vladimir Putin and North Korea’s Kim Jong Un.
The lavish event to mark 80 years since Japan’s defeat at the end of World War II has been largely shunned by Western leaders, with Putin and Kim, pariahs in the West due to the Ukraine war and Kim’s nuclear ambitions, the guests of honour.
Designed to project China’s military might and diplomatic clout, it also comes as US President Donald Trump’s trade tariffs and volatile policymaking strain its relations with allies and rivals.
“Today, mankind is faced with the choice of peace or war, dialogue or confrontation, win-win or zero-sum,” Xi told a crowd of more than 50 000 spectators in Tiananmen Square, adding the Chinese people ‘firmly stand on the right side of history’.
Riding in an open-top limousine, Xi inspected the troops and cutting-edge military equipment such as missiles, tanks and drones on display.
Helicopters trailing large banners and fighter jets flew in formation above during the 70-minute showcase thick with symbolism and propaganda which culminated in the release of 80 000 peace doves and colourful balloons.
Wearing a suit in the style of those worn by former leader Mao Zedong, Xi earlier greeted the more than 20 leaders saying ‘Nice to meet you’ and ‘Welcome to China’ in English.
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