Key Military Parade in China Marks 80th Anniversary of Victory Day

Tue Sep 30 2025 09:29:05 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is set to join Russian President Vladimir Putin and other global leaders at a significant military parade in Beijing.

Kim Jong Un's attendance at the military parade in Beijing, marking the 80th anniversary of China's victory over Japan in WWII, is viewed as a significant diplomatic moment. The parade will feature a display of China's military capabilities and comes amid renewed discussions about peace efforts between the U.S., North Korea, and Russia.

North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un will attend a military parade in Beijing next week, China's foreign ministry has announced, marking what is believed to be his first international level meeting with other leaders. This notable event, referred to as the 'Victory Day' parade, celebrates the 80th anniversary of China's war against Japan and the conclusion of World War Two.

Russian President Vladimir Putin will also be present among the anticipated 26 heads of state attending the event. This follows recent comments by U.S. President Donald Trump expressing a desire to meet Kim Jong Un.

China is expected to showcase its latest military advancements, including hundreds of aircraft, tanks, and anti-drone systems, offering a first glimpse of its newly organized military structure during this parade.

The event promises to feature tens of thousands of military personnel marching in disciplined formations through Tiananmen Square, including troops from 45 different divisions of China's armed forces, alongside war veterans.

The meticulously orchestrated parade, lasting approximately 70 minutes and observed by Chinese leader Xi Jinping, is sure to capture the attention of analysts and international observers.

China has lauded its long-standing traditional friendship with North Korea and has signaled intentions to continue collaborating on maintaining regional peace and stability.

Kim's participation signifies a diplomatic elevation compared to the last Victory Day parade in 2015, which saw only a senior North Korean official in attendance.

With Kim standing alongside Putin and Xi during the celebration, significant media moments are expected, highlighting Xi’s strengthening geopolitical influence amid U.S. negotiations regarding Ukraine and North Korea.

While Western leaders are not expected to attend, primarily due to vocal disagreements with Putin regarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the focus remains on the interactions at the event, including the potential participation of South Korean President Lee Jae Myung.

Lee has expressed interest in re-engaging with Kim; however, the North has rejected overtures. Attending the parade could pose risks for Lee if Kim chooses to publicly ignore or dismiss him, creating potential diplomatic embarrassment.