China: Military Parade Marking WWII Anniversary

China is holding a military parade in Beijing to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. The event, following the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit, is seen as a display of power.

Xi Jinping will welcome leaders of countries under international sanctions, including Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un. Western leaders are largely absent, with the exception of Robert Fico and Aleksandar Vučić.

The parade will showcase new equipment, including the DF-26 ballistic missile. Analysts emphasize that the move aims to strengthen the internal power of Xi Jinping and the Communist Party.

The parade sends a message of unity between China, Russia, and countries of the 'global South', challenging Western dominance. It also seeks to bolster Xi's image during a period of economic slowdown.