CHINA UNVEILS ADVANCED WEAPONS IN PARADE ATTENDED BY PUTIN AND KIM JONG UN

China on Wednesday September 3, 2025, staged its largest-ever military parade in Beijing to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, unveiling a wide array of advanced weaponry in a show of force witnessed by Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
Flanking President Xi Jinping, the two leaders joined more than 20 foreign dignitaries in Tiananmen Square as China paraded its nuclear triad—land, sea, and air-based strategic forces—for the first time.
Among the weapons showcased were the JingLei-1 air-launched missile, the JuLang-3 submarine-launched intercontinental ballistic missile, and the DongFeng-61 road-mobile solid-fuel missile, designed for rapid, concealed deployment. China also revealed the upgraded DF-5C missile, with extended range and multiple warheads, and the DF-26D “Guam Killer,” capable of targeting U.S. bases in the Pacific.
The parade further introduced China’s cutting-edge hypersonic systems, including the YJ-17 glide vehicle and the YJ-19 cruise missile, both exceeding Mach 5 speeds. Unmanned technologies also featured prominently, with the AJX002 underwater drone, the stealth FH-97 drone, and robotic dog units drawing international attention.
President Xi framed the spectacle as a choice between “peace or war,” signaling China’s readiness to assert itself on the global stage. Analysts say the joint appearance of Xi, Putin, and Kim underscored a strengthening alignment between Beijing, Moscow, and Pyongyang in defiance of Western influence.
While the parade projected formidable military strength, experts caution that some of the systems remain untested, raising questions about their actual battlefield readiness.