China Prepares for Grand Military Parade in Beijing 2025
China’s Victory Day Parade
Image Credit: Le Monde
Beijing is preparing for a highly choreographed display of power as President Xi Jinping oversees the first major military parade in six years. Tiananmen Square, one of the most iconic public spaces in the world, has been transformed into a stage where national pride, diplomatic strategy, and political symbolism will converge. The scale of preparations signals the significance attached to the event, both at home and abroad.
Eight large Chinese flags now frame the portrait of Mao Zedong at the Gate of Heavenly Peace, an enduring emblem of Communist China. Below, 26 seats are reserved for foreign dignitaries, including Russia’s Vladimir Putin and North Korea’s Kim Jong Un, whose participation is regarded as a diplomatic success for Xi. Nearby, floral displays commemorating the end of World War II stand as a reminder of the historical narrative central to the occasion, while around 50,000 invitees are expected to witness the spectacle in person.
The parade officially marks 80 years since Japan’s surrender in World War II, celebrated in China as the “people’s war of resistance against Japanese aggression.” For Xi, however, the event extends far beyond commemoration. It arrives in a week of intense diplomatic activity, following the largest-ever Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Tianjin and the first visit by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in seven years. Kim Jong Un’s attendance at a Chinese military parade for the first time since 1959 further underlines the significance of the moment.
The military hardware on display is expected to include hypersonic weapons and unmanned underwater drones, underscoring China’s growing capabilities. Leaders from Iran, Malaysia, Myanmar, Indonesia, and several Central Asian states will be present, alongside delegations from Serbia and Slovakia, the only Western representatives. The presence of both Kim and Putin beside Xi is likely to draw headlines, framing the trio as an emerging bloc challenging Western influence.
Domestically, the event doubles as a campaign to foster patriotism at a time of mounting economic and social pressures. In the run-up to the anniversary, state media has amplified coverage of wartime resistance and released films reinforcing official interpretations of history. While much of the resistance during the war came from nationalist forces later defeated by Mao’s Communists, that narrative has been largely omitted from official accounts. The campaign has also fueled diplomatic friction, with Beijing lodging protests against reports that Japan discouraged attendance from some governments.
Behind the show of unity lies unease. China continues to face weak economic growth, youth unemployment, and declining property values. Factory output has been hit by tariffs, and discontent among young citizens is increasingly visible online despite heavy censorship. Authorities are wary of this frustration spilling into public demonstrations, a concern reflected in the extraordinary security measures now in place across the capital.
Daily life in Beijing has been heavily disrupted in preparation for the parade. Schools, businesses, and hotels along Chang’an Avenue, the main route leading to Tiananmen Square, have been shut. Subway lines and road networks have been restricted, leaving parts of the city effectively immobilized. Shared bicycles, normally a convenient option, have been relocated away from the central district. Tanks and troops rehearsing overnight have filled the streets with echoes of marching, reminding residents of the military scale of the operation.
Security measures extend well beyond traffic controls. Guards have been stationed at overpasses and bridges to deter protests. Drones have been banned, and journalists — both local and international — have faced unexpected visits from officials to ensure compliance with restrictions. Even office buildings have been fitted with new scanners to monitor access. The meticulous preparations highlight both the determination to ensure order and the lingering concern about potential dissent.
Such caution reflects the memory of past challenges. Three years ago, a lone protester unfurled a banner on a Beijing bridge criticizing Xi and calling for his removal during the Party Congress that granted him a third term. He was swiftly detained, and his fate remains unclear. For the leadership, avoiding a repeat of such an incident has become a priority as this week’s parade seeks to project strength and unity.
The Chinese capital has been adorned with more than 200,000 national flags and newly designed light displays, further reinforcing the message of pride. Officials insist that the aim is to minimize disruption to daily life, but residents have nonetheless felt the weight of the state’s preparations. Whether through tightened security, detours, or closures, Beijing has been reshaped in the lead-up to the parade.
Weather has also been under close scrutiny. In the past, China has turned to cloud-seeding to ensure blue skies for significant national events. While there is no confirmation of such measures this year, forecasts predict clear conditions, removing one potential obstacle to Xi’s showcase.
The military parade is both a performance of national unity and a projection of international ambition. It comes at a time when China is positioning itself as a counterweight to the United States and presenting an alternative vision of global leadership. Yet it also reveals the balancing act between confidence abroad and caution at home. The combination of grand displays and strict controls underscores the dual priorities of power and stability as China marks this historic anniversary.
This content was adapted from an article in BBC
