China's Xi hosts Putin, Kim at Beijing military parade

Chinese leader Xi Jinping said the world must choose between "peace and war," in a speech that he made as China showed off its military arsenal at a massive parade in Beijing.

Xi welcomed some two dozen foreign leaders and other foreign representatives, including North Korea's Kim Jong Un, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.

This was the first time Xi, Putin and Kim appeared together at a public event, with the three showing a willingness to forge deeper ties in defiance of the US-led global order.

Xi not only showed "diplomatic heft" by placing "himself as the center of a new constellation of power," as DW correspondent Rik Glauert said, but he also used the event to show China's inventory to potential buyers of technology.

China unveiled new weapons, showcasing hypersonic missiles, anti-drone systems and long-range missiles, with many making an appearance at the parade for the first time.

Kim's daughter — a new entrant to the world of politics — traveled with her father to make her debut on the international stage in Beijing. 

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump, who also rolled out the red carpet for Putin just weeks ago, took note of the meeting of many US adversaries. He wished China a "great" day in a message on Truth Social, adding: "Please give my warmest regards to Vladimir Putin, and Kim Jong Un, as you conspire against The United States of America."

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said meetings between Chinese President XI Jinping, Russia's Vladimir Putin and North Korea's Kim Jong Un were posing a "direct challenge" to international order. 

"While Western leaders gather in diplomacy, an autocratic alliance is seeking a fast track to a new world order," Kallas told reporters in Brussels.

"Looking at President Xi standing alongside the leaders of Russia, Iran, (and) North Korea in Beijing today, these aren't just anti-Western optics: This is a direct challenge to the international system built on rules," she added.

"And it's not just symbolic. Russia's war in Ukraine is being sustained by Chinese support."

Other than Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russian close ally Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, few European leaders were at the parade.

Serbia's Russia-friendly President Aleksandar Vucic and Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico also attended.

Former Romanian prime ministers Adrian Nastase and Viorica Dancila, were also at the event.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has invited North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to visit Russia after holding talks in Beijing with him, according to a video published by the Kremlin.

"See you soon," Kim said through an interpreter, hugging Putin goodbye after talks that lasted two-and-a-half hours. 

"We are waiting for you, come visit us," Putin replied.

Kim had earlier pledged his full support to Putin, promising to do "everything I can to assist" Russia's war in Ukraine.

The Chinese military parade was meant to mark the prevalence of peace and world order following the end of World War II.

But the country showcased that it was ready to fight new wars in new domains, as it unveiled a range of new weapons, some of which are shown below:

Chinese President Xi held a lavish reception for his guests at the Great Hall of the People, the main legislative chamber, telling them that they must not return to the "law of the jungle."

But beyond the pomp and propaganda, analysts are watching whether China's Xi Jinping, Russia's Vladimir Putin, and North Korea's Kim Jong Un may signal closer defense relations that may alter the military calculus in the Asia-Pacific region.

Russia and North Korea signed a defense pact in 2024, and Putin sealed new gas agreements with China yesterday.

The gathering also provided Kim with an opportunity to gain implicit support for his banned nuclear weapons and bolster his image on an international stage with world leaders. 

Russia's Vladimir Putin and North Korea's Kim Jong Un met formally at the Diaoyutai state guest house after attending the military parade in Beijing this morning.

Putin and Kim traveled from a formal reception to the negotiations in the same car, according to footage shared by the Kremlin on Telegram.

Putin praised the bravery of North Korean soldiers, and Kim Jong Un said providing Russia with help was its "fraternal duty," according to Russian state news outlet TASS.

"On behalf of the Russian people, I would like to thank you for your participation in the joint fight," Putin said. "I ask you to convey my warmest words of gratitude to all the people of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea."  

South Korean intelligence has reported that about 2,000 North Korean soldiers have died fighting for Russia in Ukraine.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's daughter made her international debut in China this week, emerging behind her father after disembarking from the special train they traveled on to get to Beijing.

There is little known about Kim Jong Un's daughter, but she is thought to be named Ju Ae and thought to be 12 or 13 years old.

This is believed to be Ju Ae's first international trip with her father, with her appearance having intensified speculation abroad that her father appears to be grooming her as an heir.

But experts have also been cautious about jumping to conclusions because it's practically impossible to know about succession plans since North Korean media have revealed little about that.

Ju Ae was wearing a dark jacket as she emerged behind her father at the Beijing Railway Station on Tuesday. She stood close to her father, who was greeted by Chinese officials.

The teenager has previously attended domestic events with her father, with North Korean media referencing her as the "beloved daughter." There is little else that is known about Kim's other children.

But Ju Ae wasn't seen in pictures at the Chinese military parade this morning, where the North Korean leader appeared alongside Chinese and Russian presidents for the first time at a public event.

Kim Jong Un is believed to be in his 40s, and it could be years before there's a change of guard in leadership.

Kim Jong Un and Vladimir Putin are meeting in Beijing for formal talks after attending the military parade.

The leaders of both countries have grown closer, with North Korea having sent troops to aid Russia's war in Ukraine. 

DW correspondent Rik Glauert says the first message Beijing is trying to send has to do with "China's military clout" and the rapid expansion and modernization of its military.

The Chinese military parade showcased missiles, fighter jets and other military hardware, with some of it publicly displayed for the first time.

Glauert says it also gave China an opportunity to retell history by "upping China's role in World War II and in defeating Japan — whipping up nationalism at a time when China is facing problems like slowing economic growth and youth unemployment" even as China discusses trade tariffs with the United States.

Finally, Glauert adds, the parade allows Chinese President Xi Jinping to show "diplomatic heft, showing himself as the center of a new constellation of power" that moves away from the US-led global world order. 

Taiwanese President William Lai Ching-te criticized strongman personality cults and secret police networks, as China hosted one of the largest military parades with the leaders of Russia and North Korea to mark the end of World War II (see entry below).

Tensions between Taiwan and China are high, with Taipei accusing Beijing of ramping up military pressure around the self-governing island as it enforces its claims over the territory.

China views Taiwan as its own territory and has vowed to "reunify" with the democratic and separately governed island of 23 million people, using force if necessary.

Taiwan urged its people not to attend the military parade in China and banned current officials from attending.

The most high-ranking official believed to have attended the Chinese ceremony this morning is the former head of Taiwan's main and largest opposition party, the Kuomintang (KMT).

Beijing favors speaking to the KMT because it backs eventual unification with China. It fled to Taiwan in 1949 after having lost a civil war to Mao Zedong's Communists.

Beijing also refuses to talk to the government in Taiwan because the ruling Democratic Progressive Party does not acknowledge its view that the democratic island is part of China, with Beijing having described the Taiwanese president as a "dangerous separatist." 

Writing on his Facebook page to mark Armed Forces Day in Taiwan, Taiwanese President William Lai Ching-te said it was "gratifying" that the former Axis powers had all become democracies since the end of World War II.

Democratically governed Taiwan, which Beijing claims as its own territory, has repeatedly lambasted China for what Taipei sees as a distorted view of the war. The Republic of China government at the time fought alongside the Allies. 

"The definition of fascism is broad," Lai wrote. "It encompasses extreme nationalism, the pursuit of illusory great nation rejuvenation, intense domestic speech control, suppression of social diversity, establishment of secret police networks, and overt cults of personality around strongman leaders."

Lai did not directly mention China's parade this morning. Some Taiwan television stations showed the event, but it did not get the same wall-to-wall coverage as it did in China.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, North Korean leader Kim Jon Un and Russia's Vladimir Putin gathered in Beijing for one of China's largest-ever military parades.

Beijing unveiled a host of new military hardware at the parade that commemorates 80 years since Japan's defeat in World War II.

Kim's appearance marks his first on the multipolar world stage, putting him alongside powerful leaders.

The three were given the most prominent coverage, but they weren't the only ones to have attended the parade.

Leaders from about two dozen countries, like the Iranian president and the Pakistani prime minister, also joined the Chinese leader this morning. A few European leaders even made the trip to Beijing.