In photos: China’s military might on display with Putin and Kim Jong Un in attendance
China’s military parade commemorating the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II is underway in Beijing on Wednesday, with Chinese President Xi Jinping hosting more than two dozen foreign leaders.
The military parade featured a parade of missiles and tanks rumbling past Tiananmen Square, soldiers goose-stepping in formation and fighter jets roaring over the capital, as China showcased its military prowess.
President Xi Jinping delivered an opening speech at the reviewing stand overlooking Tiananmen Square, before reviewing the troops in a limousine, occasionally saying, “Greetings, comrades!”
More than two dozen foreign leaders, including North Korea’s Kim Jong Un and Russia’s Vladimir Putin, Myanmar’s junta chief Min Aung Hlaing and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, were at the venue site, according to a broadcast feed by state media, with Western leaders largely absent.
The heavily choreographed event is designed to showcase some of the country’s newest weapons and commemorates the country’s “victory against Japanese aggression and the world’s victory against fascism.”
The parate route will move along Chang’an Avenue, the city’s central east–west artery, passing Tiananmen Square and the entrance to the Forbidden City.
Here are some scenes from the parade:
Xi arrives with Putin and Kim
(L-R) Russia’s President Vladimir Putin walks with China’s President Xi Jinping and North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un before a military parade marking the 80th anniversary of victory over Japan and the end of World War II, in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square on September 3, 2025.
Sergey Bobylev | Afp | Getty Images
Group photo
(Front row L-R) Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin, China’s President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan, North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un pose for a photograph before the military parade.
Sergey Bobylev | Afp | Getty Images
The parade begins
The China flag is hoisted during the military parade in Tiananmen Square.
Kevin Frayer | Getty Images News | Getty Images
Xi inspects paraded troops
China’s President Xi Jinping starts his inspection of the troops during the military parade marking the 80th anniversary of victory over Japan and the end of World War II.
Pedro Pardo | Afp | Getty Images
Chinese troops marching
Chinese troops shout slogans as they march during the military parade.
Pedro Pardo | Afp | Getty Images
Shouting slogans while marching
Chinese female troops march during the military parade.
Pedro Pardo | Afp | Getty Images
Military hardware
Armored vehicles and soldiers are seen during a military parade marking the 80th anniversary of victory over Japan and the end of World War II, in Tiananmen Square on September 03, 2025, in Beijing, China.
Lintao Zhang | Getty Images News | Getty Images
Aircraft in formation
Military aircraft fly in formation during the military parade.
Hector Retamal | Afp | Getty Images
Unmanned helicopters
An unmanned helicopter is seen during the military parade.
Pedro Pardo | Afp | Getty Images
Naval vessels
A navy vessel is seen during the military parade.
Pedro Pardo | Afp | Getty Images
People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force
Armored vehicles and soldiers are seen during a military parade marking the 80th anniversary of victory over Japan and the end of World War II, in Tiananmen Square on September 03, 2025, in Beijing, China.
Lintao Zhang | Getty Images News | Getty Images
Unmanned underwater vehicles
The HSU100 unmanned underwater vehicle is seen during a military parade marking the 80th anniversary of victory over Japan and the end of World War II, in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square on September 3, 2025. (Photo by Pedro Pardo / AFP) (Photo by PEDRO PARDO/AFP via Getty Images)
Pedro Pardo | Afp | Getty Images
Helicopters fly in formation
Helicopters from the Chinese People’s Liberation Army air force fly in formation during a military parade marking the 80th anniversary of victory over Japan and the end of World War II, in Tiananmen Square on September 3, 2025, in Beijing, China.
Fred Lee | Getty Images News | Getty Images
Military veterans in attendance
A military veteran attends the military parade marking the 80th anniversary of victory over Japan and the end of World War II, in Tiananmen Square on September 03, 2025, in Beijing, China.
Lintao Zhang | Getty Images News | Getty Images
CNBC’s Victoria Yeo contributed to this report.
