China unveils new weapons at Victory Day military parade attended by Putin and Kim

China unveiled a series of new weapons in its Victory Day military parade on Wednesday, celebrated annually to mark the anniversary of Japan’s surrender, ending World War II.

This year’s parade, celebrating the 80th anniversary, was an opportunity for Beijing to show its strength and portray itself as a global alternative to the US-dominated postwar era.

The new YJ-15 hypersonic missile was showcased for the first time during the parade. The YJ – or Ying Ji (eagle attack) – line of rockets can be launched from ships or aircraft and is designed to pierce through large vessels, inflicting significant damage on impact.

Beijing also revealed its new Extra Large Unmanned Undersea Vehicle (XLUUV) with its flagship AJX002. The sea drone is just over 18 metres in length and is designed to operate in stealth. It adds to China’s already well-developed fleet of XLUUVs, which features at least five different types of systems and further consolidates China’s dominance in the sea drone space.

The Chinese military also showcased three new types of nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missiles, the Dong Feng-61, Dong Feng-31BJ and Dong Feng-5C. Beijing’s new JL-1 system complements these new systems, the country’s first air-launched nuclear missile.

Chinese media say the flagship DF-5C has a range exceeding 20,000 kilometres, putting the entire world in Beijing’s strike range. The DF-5C can also reportedly carry up to a dozen warheads on one single missile.

The parade also marked the debut of China’s first space defence system, the HQ-29. The missile is capable of taking down foreign satellites with one blow, further highlighting the country’s aerial dominance.   

China’s President Xi Jinping, speaking before the parade, said that humanity today must choose between peace and war and between dialogue and confrontation.

The Chinese leader acknowledged the victims and mourned the brave soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the country. He also called for the eradication of the roots of war to prevent history from repeating itself.

President Xi was joined by two guests at the parade, in Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, who arrived at the historic Tiananmen Gate to watch the parade.

Shortly after the parade started, US President Donald Trump took to Truth Social to share his own opinions on the occasion.

“The big question to be answered is whether or not President Xi of China will mention the massive amount of support and 'blood' that the United States of America gave to China in order to help it to secure its freedom from a very unfriendly foreign invader,” questioned Trump.

“Many Americans died in China’s quest for victory and glory. I hope that they are rightfully honoured and remembered for their bravery and sacrifice!”

Xi, in his address, did not mention the United States by name, but expressed his gratitude to foreign countries that helped China resist the Japanese invasion during WWII.

“May President Xi and the wonderful people of China have a great and lasting day of celebration. Please give my warmest regards to Vladimir Putin, and Kim Jong-un, as you conspire against the United States of America,” said Trump at the end of his post.

Domestically, the commemoration of the anniversary is a way to show how far Beijing has come.

China was a significant front in World War II, a fact often overlooked in accounts that focus more on the fight for Europe and US naval battles in the Pacific. The Japanese invasion before WWII and the conflict itself killed millions of Chinese people.