Beijing, September 2(HS): North Korean leader Kim Jong Un arrived in Beijing by armored train on Tuesday to attend a monumental military parade alongside Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The event at Tiananmen Square commemorates the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II and China’s victory over Japan’s wartime aggression. This marks the first occasion that Kim, Xi, and Putin—three prominent challengers of the United States—have appeared together at a major international event.

Kim’s visit to China is his first since 2019 and signals a potential strengthening of ties amidst geopolitical tensions. Putin, already in China for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit, and Kim are among 26 global leaders attending the parade, underscoring a significant show of unity against Western influence. Although a trilateral meeting is under consideration, no official announcements have been made.

The parade will showcase over 100 new Chinese weapon systems, advanced military technology, and thousands of troops, serving both as a celebration of history and a demonstration of China’s growing global military presence. Security in Beijing has been heightened with extensive preparations to ensure smooth proceedings.

This grand military display also reflects shifting alliances on the world stage, as China positions itself as a custodian of a new global order amid growing rivalry with the United States. The presence of Kim Jong Un, who rarely leaves North Korea, alongside Putin and Xi amplifies the message of a consolidated front among nations opposing U.S. dominance.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar