China commemorated the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in Beijing on Wednesday, with Chinese President Xi Jinping hosting more than two dozen foreign leaders at a military parade.
President Xi Jinping delivered an opening speech at a stand, before reviewing the troops in a limousine, periodically calling out, “Greetings, comrades!”
More than two dozen foreign leaders, including North Korea’s Kim Jong Un and Russia’s Vladimir Putin, Myanmar’s junta chief Min Aung Hlaing and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, were at the venue site, according to a broadcast feed by state media, with Western leaders largely absent.
The heavily choreographed event is designed to showcase some of the country’s newest weapons and commemorates the country’s “victory against Japanese aggression and the world’s victory against fascism.”
The parade — one of its largest ever — featured missiles mounted on trucks, tanks, autonomous vehicles and other equipment rumbling past Tiananmen Square, soldiers goose-stepping in formation and fighter jets roaring over the capital, as China showcased its military prowess.
The parade ended with the release of 80,000 doves and an equal number of balloons in a visual spectacle symbolizing peace.
Catch some of the moments from the parade here:
Xi arrives with Putin and Kim
(L-R) Russia’s President Vladimir Putin walks with China’s President Xi Jinping and North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un before a military parade marking the 80th anniversary of victory over Japan and the end of World War II, in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square on Sept. 3, 2025.
Sergey Bobylev | Afp | Getty Images
Visiting foreign leaders
(Front row L-R) Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin, China’s President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan, North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un pose for a photograph before the military parade.
Sergey Bobylev | Afp | Getty Images
In this pool photograph distributed by the Russian state agency Sputnik, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin (L) speaks with China’s President Xi Jinping (C) and North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un (R) after a group photograph before a military parade marking the 80th anniversary of victory over Japan and the end of World War II, in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square on September 3, 2025.
Alexander Kazakov | Afp | Getty Images
China’s President Xi Jinping (C), North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un (R) and Russia’s President Vladimir Putin (L) arrive for a reception in the Great Hall of the People, following a military parade marking the 80th anniversary of victory over Japan and the end of World War II, in Beijing on September 3, 2025.
Jade Gao | Afp | Getty Images
The parade begins
The China flag is hoisted during the military parade in Tiananmen Square.
Kevin Frayer | Getty Images News | Getty Images
Xi inspects paraded troops
China’s President Xi Jinping starts his inspection of the troops during the military parade marking the 80th anniversary of victory over Japan and the end of World War II.
Pedro Pardo | Afp | Getty Images
Chinese troops marching
Chinese troops shout slogans as they march during the military parade.
Pedro Pardo | Afp | Getty Images
Shouting slogans
Chinese female troops march during the military parade.
Pedro Pardo | Afp | Getty Images
Military hardware
Armored vehicles and soldiers are seen during the military parade in Tiananmen Square on Sept. 3, 2025, in Beijing, China.
Lintao Zhang | Getty Images News | Getty Images
Aircraft in formation
Military aircraft fly in formation during the military parade.
Hector Retamal | Afp | Getty Images
Unmanned helicopters
An unmanned helicopter is seen during the military parade.
Pedro Pardo | Afp | Getty Images
Naval vessels
A navy vessel is seen during the military parade.
Pedro Pardo | Afp | Getty Images
People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force
Armored vehicles and soldiers are seen during the military parade.
Lintao Zhang | Getty Images News | Getty Images
Unmanned underwater vehicles
The HSU100 unmanned underwater vehicle is seen during the military parade.
Pedro Pardo | Afp | Getty Images
Helicopters fly in formation
Helicopters from the Chinese People’s Liberation Army air force fly in formation during the military parade.
Fred Lee | Getty Images News | Getty Images
Peace doves
Birds and balloons are released at the end of the military parade.
PEDRO PARDO / Contributor / AFP
CNBC’s Victoria Yeo contributed to this report.
