What does China’s V-Day military parade ‘trending’ in international media indicate?

2025.09.07

Balloons are released into the sky over Tian'anmen Square in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 3, 2025. China on Wednesday held a grand gathering to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.
Since last Wednesday, images of China's V-Day military parade have been trending on the front pages of major global media outlets. At this solemn moment to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, China, with a powerful force for peace, sent a clear message to the world: The Chinese people will always remember this great victory, which stands as a monument in the history of the Chinese nation and the cause of human peace. With greater unity, they will strive to secure new and greater victories on the journey toward national rejuvenation.
On the day of the parade, media across Asia, Africa, and Latin America have described the commemoration using words like "stunning," "grand," and "historic." Major Western outlets such as CNN, BBC, and The New York Times have prominently featured scenes from China's V-Day military parade on their front pages. Meanwhile, news agencies like Reuters, AFP, and AP have produced in-depth, richly illustrated reports. Behind this wave of coverage lie two key international consensuses: First, the weapons and equipment of the Chinese military in the new era have achieved significant advancements in technological standards, performance levels, and their systemic and strategic implications. Second, a prosperous and thriving new China stands tall in the East, and the Chinese people have never been as steadfast, resolute, and confident as they are today.
In his important remarks at the reception commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, President Xi Jinping used three statements of "at all times" to profoundly expound on the great practical and far-reaching historical significance of commemorating this anniversary. The reason this military parade has attracted worldwide attention is that it conveys China's firm and distinct perspective on the history of the War of Resistance. 80 years ago, people from various countries crossed borders, races, and ideological barriers to unite against a common enemy, fighting bravely and shedding blood, ultimately achieving a great victory of justice over evil and light over darkness. Today, in the name of the nation, China pays tribute to the heroes who gave their lives for peace - this is both an act of respect for history and a declaration for the future.
Advanced weaponry was another focus of international attention during the V-Day parade. The DongFeng-61 land-based intercontinental missile, JingLei-1 air-based long-range missile, and JuLang-3 submarine-launched intercontinental missile form a "triad" of strategic deterrence capabilities, while new forces such as the hypersonic anti-ship YingJi missile series, and anti-drone laser and microwave weapons were also on display. The Washington Post, citing an expert, bluntly stated, "Militarily coercion of China is impossible." With its fresh appearance on the path toward its centenary, the People's Liberation Army demonstrated its integrated operational and defense capabilities under conditions of informatization and intelligentization. This represents not only a major advancement in China's military strength, but also China's ability to contribute peace and stability in the world. The modernization of China's armed forces meets a major country's reasonable defense needs, and shows a responsible attitude toward regional security and even global peace. China never flaunts its military power, and will never be intimidated by any form of bullying.
President Xi profoundly pointed out in his speech at the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War: "Humanity is again faced with a choice of peace or war, dialogue or confrontation, and win-win outcomes or zero-sum games." As the world enters a new period of turmoil and transformation and global governance reaches a new crossroads, China's military parade not only raises a question of great significance for the future of humanity but also offers the world a Chinese answer: "The Chinese people firmly stand on the right side of history and the progress of human civilization. We will remain committed to the path of peaceful development, and join hands with all peoples around the world in building a community with a shared future for humanity."
The solemn parade in Tian'anmen Square not only showcased China's significant progress in national strength but also demonstrated China's unwavering sincerity and determination to be a builder of world peace, a contributor to global development, and a protector of the international order.
At the parade, when people sang in unison songs such as the "March of the Volunteers" and "Without the Communist Party, There Would Be No New China," which were born in the fires of the War of Resistance, and when 80,000 doves of peace and 80,000 balloons soared into the sky, the atmosphere of unity and the pursuit of peace moved some foreign journalists and audiences to tears. 
The V-Day military parade showed the world that China has both a firm commitment to peaceful development and a strong capability to deter war. It embodies both a broad-minded spirit of benefiting all and a steadfast will to uphold justice. China's path of peaceful development is a bright avenue and the right path for humanity. We will steadfastly continue on this path and call upon all peace-loving people around the world to walk with us, making new and greater contributions to world peace and development.
Source: Global Times