Posted:
03.09.2025 13:25:54
Beijing hosted largest parade marking 80 years since end of Second World War — sb.by coverage
Tiananmen Square in Beijing hosted the largest military parade of the world's biggest army. President of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko, alongside other world leaders, took part in the celebrations commemorating 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.
![]()
On September 3rd, the eyes of the whole world were on the Chinese capital, which was holding celebrations commemorating the anniversary of the end of the Second World War. Eight decades later, when the entire world is almost facing another global conflict, Beijing reminds us that we are all bound by the common destiny of humanity and that only together can we preserve our civilisation. China organised a military parade, the largest in the country's history, showcasing the best achievements of its military industry. However, every detail of the event was highly symbolic and served as a reminder that such a terrible history must never be repeated. Correspondents with sb.by watched the parade in Beijing as well.
![]()
Choice everyone must make
Over 25 high-ranking foreign guests took part in the celebrations. Chinese President Xi Jinping and his spouse Peng Liyuan welcomed the heads of state at Tiananmen Square, followed by a group photo.
![]()
![]()
The parade in Tiananmen Square began with a gun salute fired 80 times as a reminder of the cries of those who died in the war and as a symbol of triumphant victory. Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China, Chairman of the Central Military Commission, delivered an important speech.
The Chinese leader cordially thanked foreign governments and figures who had provided China with support and assistance in repelling the aggression, and warmly welcomed the heads of state who had arrived in Beijing for the anniversary celebrations, as well as the soldiers and officers participating in the parade. The Chinese President paid special tribute to those who resisted the Japanese invaders for their contribution to the victory, noting that ‘the Chinese people made a major contribution to the salvation of human civilization and the defense of world peace with immense sacrifice’.
“The history cautions us that humanity rises and falls together. Only when all countries and nations treat each other as equals, co-exist in peace and support each other we can uphold common security, eradicate the root cause of war and prevent the recurrence of historical tragedies,” Xi Jinping stated.
![]()
The Chinese President emphasised that, having united in the struggle against the enemy at one time, the Chinese people began a stubborn resistance for the sake of the country's existence, national rebirth and human justice.
Today, humanity is again faced with the choice of peace or war, dialogue or confrontation. The Chinese people will stand firmly on the right side of history and on the side of human progress, adhere to the path of peaceful development, and join hands with the rest of the world to build a community with a shared future for humanity.
![]()
Victory of light over darkness
On September 2nd, 1945, at 9:04 am, Japan signed the act of its unconditional surrender aboard the USS Missouri battleship in Tokyo Bay. This event effectively ended the Second World War. In its final stage, the Red Army, together with the troops of the Republic of China and Mongolia, defeated the Kwantung Army, liberating Northeast China and the northern part of the Korean Peninsula.
In the history of the USSR, September 3rd marked the victory over Japanese militarism. China has designated it as the Victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.
![]()
The parade held in Tiananmen Square combined tradition and modernity, demonstrating military units whose origins can be traced back to forces that took direct part in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression.
A huge military band consisting of 14 formations symbolising the 14 years of the War of Resistance marched across the square. The first formation consisted of 80 trumpeters, symbolising the 80th anniversary of victory in the War of Resistance.
![]()
The symbolism of the War of Resistance is also integrated into the design of Tiananmen Square, conveying the message: ‘justice will prevail, peace will prevail and the people will prevail’, which emphasises that the War of Resistance and the World Anti-Fascist War were the great victories of justice over evil, of light over darkness.
At the end of China's showcasing of capabilities in armaments and military technology, thousands of doves took to the sky. Replacing fighter jets in the Beijing sky, the bird of peace symbolised the desire for lasting peace throughout the planet. The ceremony ended with thousands of bright balloons flying over Tiananmen Square — a sign that a colourful peace is replacing the shadows of war.
![]()
Beijing’s military parade. Facts
○ The parade in Beijing was the largest military parade of the world's biggest army of 2.3m servicemen.
○ The parade march on Tiananmen Square featured:
— 45 formations (which is approximately 40,000 troops);
— nearly 500 units of combat equipment;
— over 100 aircraft taking to the skies.
![]()
○ In addition to the Ground Force, Navy, Air Force, and Rocket Force, the parade showcased the new military branches established in 2024: the Aeropace Force, Cyberspace Force, Information Support Force, and Logistics Support Force.
○ The parade also featured new previously ‘unspotted’ examples of unique combat equipment: tanks and jets, advanced high-precision strike systems, UAVs, hypersonic and strategic missiles. All types of arms and military equipment displayed at the parade are domestically produced by China and are already in service with the country’s armed forces.
According to TASS, the People’s Liberation Army of China displayed missiles representing the country’s strategic nuclear triad for the first time.
In particular, the event demonstrated JingLei-1 air-based long-range missile, JuLang-3 submarine-launched intercontinental missile, as well as DongFeng-61 and DongFeng-31 land-based intercontinental missiles. Additionally, China also showcased DongFeng-5C strategic intercontinental nuclear missile with global reach.
○The marches were performed by a 1,000-member pipe band.
○ The parade lasted 70 minutes, while TV companies broadcasted it in 85 countries worldwide.
○ After the parade ended, 80,000 white doves of peace and multicolored balloons were released into the sky.
![]()
![]()
FYI
Tiananmen Square is traditionally considered the symbolic heart of the Chinese nation: here, Mao Zedong proclaimed the People's Republic of China on October 1st, 1949. The square is home to the Monument to the People's Heroes and the Chairman Mao Memorial Hall (mausoleum), and is overlooked by the Great Hall of the People and the National Centre for the Performing Arts. For a long time, Tiananmen had been the largest city square in the world. Today. Today, the main square of the Chinese capital ranks second in size in China and third in the world — it is 880 metres long and 500 metres wide, covering an area of 440,000 square metres. The square can comfortably accommodate more than 1m people.
![]()
![]()
![]()
On September 3rd, the eyes of the whole world were on the Chinese capital, which was holding celebrations commemorating the anniversary of the end of the Second World War. Eight decades later, when the entire world is almost facing another global conflict, Beijing reminds us that we are all bound by the common destiny of humanity and that only together can we preserve our civilisation. China organised a military parade, the largest in the country's history, showcasing the best achievements of its military industry. However, every detail of the event was highly symbolic and served as a reminder that such a terrible history must never be repeated. Correspondents with sb.by watched the parade in Beijing as well.
Choice everyone must make
Over 25 high-ranking foreign guests took part in the celebrations. Chinese President Xi Jinping and his spouse Peng Liyuan welcomed the heads of state at Tiananmen Square, followed by a group photo.
The parade in Tiananmen Square began with a gun salute fired 80 times as a reminder of the cries of those who died in the war and as a symbol of triumphant victory. Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China, Chairman of the Central Military Commission, delivered an important speech.
The Chinese leader cordially thanked foreign governments and figures who had provided China with support and assistance in repelling the aggression, and warmly welcomed the heads of state who had arrived in Beijing for the anniversary celebrations, as well as the soldiers and officers participating in the parade. The Chinese President paid special tribute to those who resisted the Japanese invaders for their contribution to the victory, noting that ‘the Chinese people made a major contribution to the salvation of human civilization and the defense of world peace with immense sacrifice’.
“The history cautions us that humanity rises and falls together. Only when all countries and nations treat each other as equals, co-exist in peace and support each other we can uphold common security, eradicate the root cause of war and prevent the recurrence of historical tragedies,” Xi Jinping stated.
The Chinese President emphasised that, having united in the struggle against the enemy at one time, the Chinese people began a stubborn resistance for the sake of the country's existence, national rebirth and human justice.
Today, humanity is again faced with the choice of peace or war, dialogue or confrontation. The Chinese people will stand firmly on the right side of history and on the side of human progress, adhere to the path of peaceful development, and join hands with the rest of the world to build a community with a shared future for humanity.
Victory of light over darkness
On September 2nd, 1945, at 9:04 am, Japan signed the act of its unconditional surrender aboard the USS Missouri battleship in Tokyo Bay. This event effectively ended the Second World War. In its final stage, the Red Army, together with the troops of the Republic of China and Mongolia, defeated the Kwantung Army, liberating Northeast China and the northern part of the Korean Peninsula.
In the history of the USSR, September 3rd marked the victory over Japanese militarism. China has designated it as the Victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.
The parade held in Tiananmen Square combined tradition and modernity, demonstrating military units whose origins can be traced back to forces that took direct part in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression.
A huge military band consisting of 14 formations symbolising the 14 years of the War of Resistance marched across the square. The first formation consisted of 80 trumpeters, symbolising the 80th anniversary of victory in the War of Resistance.
The symbolism of the War of Resistance is also integrated into the design of Tiananmen Square, conveying the message: ‘justice will prevail, peace will prevail and the people will prevail’, which emphasises that the War of Resistance and the World Anti-Fascist War were the great victories of justice over evil, of light over darkness.
At the end of China's showcasing of capabilities in armaments and military technology, thousands of doves took to the sky. Replacing fighter jets in the Beijing sky, the bird of peace symbolised the desire for lasting peace throughout the planet. The ceremony ended with thousands of bright balloons flying over Tiananmen Square — a sign that a colourful peace is replacing the shadows of war.
Beijing’s military parade. Facts
○ The parade in Beijing was the largest military parade of the world's biggest army of 2.3m servicemen.
○ The parade march on Tiananmen Square featured:
— 45 formations (which is approximately 40,000 troops);
— nearly 500 units of combat equipment;
— over 100 aircraft taking to the skies.
○ In addition to the Ground Force, Navy, Air Force, and Rocket Force, the parade showcased the new military branches established in 2024: the Aeropace Force, Cyberspace Force, Information Support Force, and Logistics Support Force.
○ The parade also featured new previously ‘unspotted’ examples of unique combat equipment: tanks and jets, advanced high-precision strike systems, UAVs, hypersonic and strategic missiles. All types of arms and military equipment displayed at the parade are domestically produced by China and are already in service with the country’s armed forces.
According to TASS, the People’s Liberation Army of China displayed missiles representing the country’s strategic nuclear triad for the first time.
In particular, the event demonstrated JingLei-1 air-based long-range missile, JuLang-3 submarine-launched intercontinental missile, as well as DongFeng-61 and DongFeng-31 land-based intercontinental missiles. Additionally, China also showcased DongFeng-5C strategic intercontinental nuclear missile with global reach.
○The marches were performed by a 1,000-member pipe band.
○ The parade lasted 70 minutes, while TV companies broadcasted it in 85 countries worldwide.
○ After the parade ended, 80,000 white doves of peace and multicolored balloons were released into the sky.
FYI
Tiananmen Square is traditionally considered the symbolic heart of the Chinese nation: here, Mao Zedong proclaimed the People's Republic of China on October 1st, 1949. The square is home to the Monument to the People's Heroes and the Chairman Mao Memorial Hall (mausoleum), and is overlooked by the Great Hall of the People and the National Centre for the Performing Arts. For a long time, Tiananmen had been the largest city square in the world. Today. Today, the main square of the Chinese capital ranks second in size in China and third in the world — it is 880 metres long and 500 metres wide, covering an area of 440,000 square metres. The square can comfortably accommodate more than 1m people.
