Xi, Putin and Kim Walk Together at Beijing Military Parade

Chinese President Xi Jinping stood between Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un as a military parade in central Beijing marked the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, a prominent show of unity among the three leaders during mounting international pressure from the United States.

Xi, Putin and Kim occupied the leading positions on a viewing platform overlooking Tiananmen Square as Chinese troops prepared to demonstrate the country’s military capabilities. About two dozen foreign leaders attended the high‑profile event, which combined a large-scale display of armed forces and a rare public demonstration of ties among Beijing, Moscow and Pyongyang.

Other visiting leaders followed behind the trio as they proceeded to the reviewing stand. At several points Xi and Kim smiled and conversed through an interpreter; Xi also spoke with Putin during the walk. Organizers framed the gathering as a commemoration of the Allied victory in World War II and as a platform for China to display both military hardware and diplomatic reach.

Chinese state media and officials have emphasized the parade as a signal of national strength and unity. International observers noted the attendance of leaders from multiple developing and emerging economies, reflecting Beijing’s expanding influence in parts of the Global South and among countries seeking alternatives to Western diplomatic and security frameworks.

Analysts say the occasion offered a rare, highly visible alignment of leaders whose governments have been at odds with the United States on a range of issues. Russia and China have deepened ties in recent years through economic and strategic cooperation, while North Korea’s leader has cultivated a closer relationship with Beijing amid continued sanctions and diplomatic isolation related to his country’s weapons programs.

The event highlighted broader geopolitical tensions: U.S. officials have criticized moves by Beijing and Moscow that they say undermine global norms and regional stability, and Washington has repeatedly warned of consequences for close strategic coordination among its rivals. Chinese officials have framed foreign criticism as interference and defended their right to forge diplomatic partnerships.

The parade and the leaders’ placement on the reviewing platform underscored both the ceremonial and political dimensions of the gathering: a commemoration that also served as a public demonstration of relationships among major authoritarian states and a reminder of China’s growing role on the world stage.