Many in Taiwan Shrug at China’s Massive Military Parade, Seeing Little Immediate Threat

TAIPEI — Images of China’s large military parade, in which hypersonic missiles rolled down Chang’an Avenue and troops marched in formation, prompted intense international scrutiny but elicited muted reactions among many residents of Taiwan.

Mu Chuhua, a 69-year-old retiree in Taipei, said she watched portions of the parade on YouTube and regarded the event as a ceremonial expression of gratitude to the armed forces rather than an immediate threat to Taiwan. "I thought it was quite normal," she said. "It was very cool."

The parade, staged by Beijing to mark the end of World War II and its victory over Japan, was followed closely abroad for what it might reveal about China’s military capabilities and its political alignment with countries often at odds with the United States, including Russia and North Korea. International observers noted the appearance of advanced weaponry and a display of unity with those traditional U.S. adversaries.

But across Taiwan, which is self-ruled and claimed by China, the event registered largely as spectacle for many residents who have grown accustomed to frequent military posturing from the mainland. Reporting from the island said the subdued public response reflected both the limited success of Beijing’s intimidation efforts and a broader desensitization among Taiwanese to the persistent threat posed by China.

Some analysts and local commentators have argued that repeated displays of force risk losing their intended psychological impact when the audience becomes inured to them. On the island, daily patrols, military exercises, and political rhetoric from Beijing are part of an ongoing state of tension that colors public perceptions of such large-scale demonstrations.

Taiwan’s government maintains a defensive posture and continues to press for international support while emphasizing its democratic governance and distinct political identity. Beijing, which considers Taiwan a province to be reunited with the mainland, has not renounced the use of force to achieve that goal. The parade was part of a broader diplomatic and military messaging campaign by Chinese leadership.

The international focus on the event extended beyond the hardware on display. Observers watched for changes in doctrine, advances in missile technology, and the political implications of aligning closely with other states that have adversarial relationships with Washington. The parade offered a visual measure of the People’s Liberation Army’s modernization efforts and a platform for projecting cohesion at a time of heightened geopolitical tensions.

Within Taiwan, reactions varied by age, political outlook and proximity to military matters, but the overall public mood, as reflected in interviews and local reporting, was one of resignation rather than alarm. For residents like Mu, the spectacle did little to alter daily life; for policymakers and foreign governments, the parade added another data point in assessing China’s military trajectory and regional intentions.

As governments and analysts continue to scrutinize the implications of Beijing’s military displays, the differing readings between international observers and many on the ground in Taiwan underscore the gap between strategic signaling and public reception in a region marked by enduring uncertainty.