Trump accuses Xi, Putin, Kim Jong Un of anti-US conspiracy

On Sept. 3, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) held a military parade in Beijing to mark the 80th anniversary of the victory in the "Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression." 

The event featured the first joint public appearance of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin with Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平). It was also the first time since the Korean War that the leaders of China, Russia, and North Korea stood together on a public stage.

Strategic signaling through advanced weapons systems

The parade showcased the People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) most advanced weapons and platforms, with a strategic emphasis on missile and unmanned systems—areas critical to future warfare.

Among the key missile systems unveiled were the Dongfeng-61, which can carry multiple nuclear warheads; the Dongfeng-5C, an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) capable of reaching the US mainland; and the Dongfeng-26D, a medium-range missile often referred to as the “Guam Killer.”

The PLA also showcased hypersonic anti-ship missiles like the YJ-17 and YJ-19, designed to evade missile defense systems through high-speed, maneuverable flight paths.

Professor Ho Chih-yung (何志勇), an expert in political science at Taiwan Tsinghua University, told TCN that these displays suggest future strategic thinking will extend beyond regional boundaries. With missiles capable of striking the US, Beijing appears to be signaling a departure from traditional geographic limits—though Ho said that the US still holds clear military superiority.

The parade also highlighted a range of AI-integrated unmanned systems, underscoring the PLA’s push toward autonomous warfare. Standout platforms included the AJX-002, a 20-meter-long uncrewed underwater vehicle (XLUUV); the Anjian-11, a stealth drone “loyal wingman”; and robotic ground units such as “robot wolves” for mine clearance and reconnaissance.

Tai Hsiao-Chun (戴孝君), Secretary-General of the Asia-Pacific Policy Research Association, told TCN that the emphasis on drones and automation signals a shift in China’s defense doctrine. He stated the PLA’s modernization as globally competitive and increasingly centered on AI-enhanced, integrated combat systems. 

The PLA’s display of new weapon systems through military parades also helps Beijing expand its presence in the global arms market and tighten relations with its allies through arms sales, Tai said.

Military flex

Ahead of the parade, President Xi introduced his “Global Governance Initiative” at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit in Tianjin, which claimed to promote "sovereignty", "rule of law", "multilateralism", and "practical cooperation."

During the parade, Xi said that “humanity once again faces a choice between peace and war,” and reaffirmed the claim that China is committed to “peaceful development and building a community with a shared future for mankind.”

US President Donald Trump responded via Truth Social with a post that was both congratulatory and biting. He acknowledged China’s WWII commemoration but concluded with a jab, writing “Please give my warmest regards to Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un, as you conspire against the United States of America.”

While the parade may be seen as a successful show of strength by Beijing, it also represents a double-edged sword.

Tai said that, from a grand strategic perspective, the Asia-Pacific region is already facing complex dynamics. A major driver of escalating tensions is the growing perception that military buildups are being used as leverage in political negotiations, Tai added.

He told TCN that Beijing should reflect on whether its “Global Governance Initiative” is grounded in peaceful dialogue or if it ultimately reinforces a confrontational, force-centric world order. Tai stated that although the PLA’s modernization and readiness were on full display, whether the image of unity among China, Russia, and North Korea will help Beijing build global trust remains uncertain — and may instead raise concerns among neighboring countries.

Tai also said that while Beijing often claims to avoid the “Thucydides Trap,” its behavior increasingly mirrors the dynamics that fuel it. He noted that the greatest risk of US-China conflict lies in the tension between America's global military commitments and China’s ambitions to diminish US presence in East Asia and the South China Sea.

With Trump returning to the presidency, uncertainties in US foreign policy, renewed debates over America’s global alliances and trade relationships, and China’s rising assertiveness are all amplifying mutual distrust. Tai stated that "the risk of direct confrontation is rising."

Tai noted that “Threat equals capability multiplied by intent; if intent is zero, threat is zero.” Given the intensifying arms race, growing sovereignty claims, and diverging visions for leadership in the Asia-Pacific, US-China relations appear to be heading toward open rivalry. He said that if a strategic miscalculation were to occur, it could trigger the very conflict both sides claim to want to avoid. Only through wise leadership, mutual understanding, and cultural sensitivity can such a future be averted, Tai added.

Professor Ho stated that the timing of the SCO Summit immediately before the parade was intentional. Beijing used it to underscore its ambition to lead a non-Western international order by rallying support from the “Global South”—understood in political, rather than purely geographic, terms, Ho said.

Ho noted that the joint appearance of Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin, and Kim Jong Un was a calculated move. He said that since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, Russia and North Korea have drawn closer, making the parade a timely platform to publicly demonstrate alignment with China. Ho added that Beijing might use the moment to demonstrate its continued strategic ties with Moscow, subtly signaling this to Washington.

Still, Ho noted that while China may aspire to lead a non-US-centric order, it remains unclear whether Russia is content with playing second fiddle. Each country may be pursuing its own strategic interests beneath the veneer of unity, he added.

CCP’s Battle Over Wartime Legacy

One of the most politically charged aspects of the September 3 parade was the CCP’s apparent attempt to erase the Republic of China’s (ROC) historical role in World War II and the War of Resistance Against Japan.

In his remarks, Xi stated: “The Chinese people’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression was a heroic and arduous struggle. Under the banner of the anti-Japanese national united front advocated by the Chinese Communist Party, the Chinese people achieved the first complete victory against foreign aggression in modern Chinese history.”



Tai said that Beijing’s narrative seeks to monopolize the anti-Japanese resistance legacy in pursuit of global discourse power. Tai added that it was Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek who led the Chinese military and civilians in a courageous resistance that secured victory on the Chinese front. He stated that the ROC’s contributions cannot be erased and emphasized that its role in elevating China to the world stage must be remembered.

Professor Ho noted that Xi’s remarks reflect a broader campaign of “de-ROC-ization” in the CCP’s wartime historiography. This revisionist trend, he said, creates two major problems for Taiwan.

First, he said, diminishing the ROC’s historical stature weakens Taiwan’s political and moral voice in the broader Chinese diaspora, potentially reducing global support for Taiwan’s distinct status. Second, Ho stated, as Taiwan’s historical legitimacy is undermined, it risks being internationally viewed as a mere part of Beijing’s definition of “China.” This could erode Taiwan’s standing in global diplomacy and threaten its claims to sovereignty, he added.

As one of the largest military parades staged by the CCP in the past decade, the Sept. 3 event occurred at a pivotal moment in US-China relations and regional transformation. Amid growing global influence and domestic messaging goals, Beijing used the parade to project confidence and shape its international image.

Yet beyond the weaponry and spectacle, the parade also served as a meticulously choreographed political performance—one that underscored Beijing’s strategic ambitions and historical revisionism. How audiences, both domestic and international, will respond—and whether rivals will challenge or reinterpret this display—remains an open question.