China’s Xi projects power at military parade with Putin, Kim

Chinese President Xi Jinping warned the world was facing a choice between peace or war as he held his country’s largest-ever military parade on Wednesday, flanked by Russia’s Vladimir Putin and North Korea’s Kim Jong Un.

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The lavish event to mark 80 years since Japan’s defeat at the end of World War II has been largely shunned by Western leaders, with Putin and Kim — pariahs in the West due to the Ukraine war and Mr. Kim’s nuclear ambitions — the guests of honor.

Designed to project China’s military might and diplomatic clout, it also comes as US President Donald J. Trump’s trade tariffs and volatile policymaking strain its relations with allies and rivals alike.

“Today, mankind is faced with the choice of peace or war, dialogue or confrontation, win-win or zero-sum,” Mr. Xi told a crowd of more than 50,000 spectators at Tiananmen Square, adding that the Chinese people “firmly stand on the right side of history.”

Riding in an open-top limousine, Mr. Xi then inspected the troops and cutting-edge military equipment such as missiles, tanks and drones on display.

Helicopters trailing large banners and fighter jets flew in formation above during the 70-minute showcase thick with symbolism and propaganda which culminated in the release of 80,000 peace doves and colorful balloons.