China's Xi gathers 'Axis of Upheaval' at military parade

Chinese President Xi Jinping will be flanked by leaders of some of the world's most heavily sanctioned nations - Russia, North Korea, Iran and Myanmar-at a military parade next week in Beijing, in a show of solidarity against the West.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korea's Kim Jong-Un will attend “Victory Day” parade on September 3 marking the end of World War Two after Japan's formal surrender - the first time they have appeared in public alongside Xi.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is also expected to be on the dais as tens of thousands of troops march through the Chinese capital, completing a quartet that Western political and economic analysts have described as the Axis of Upheaval.

Myanmar junta chief Min Aung Hlaing, who rarely travels abroad, will also attend, the Chinese foreign ministry said on Thursday.

Almost no Western leaders will be among the 26 foreign heads of state or government attending the parade, which political analysts say will demonstrate Xi's influence over nations intent on reshaping the Western-led global order.

"Xi Jinping is trying to showcase that he is very strong, that he is still powerful and well received in China," said Alfred Wu, Associate Professor, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore.