Leaders from Russia, Iran and North Korea will join China's President Xi Jinping in Beijing this week for a military parade marking 80 years since the defeat of Japan in the Second World War. The event is designed to showcase China's military strength and geopolitical influence, with 26 heads of state attending.
Described by Western analysts as 'the axis of upheaval', the collaboration between Russia, China, Iran and North Korea has been evident in conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East. The parade will present China as an alternative to the Western-led global order, with no major Western leaders on the guest list except those from Serbia and Slovakia.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, already in China after attending the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit, called Xi a 'dear friend' after their meeting. A new deal was signed for Russia to increase gas exports to China by over 16% annually, boosting Moscow's economy amid Western sanctions.
The parade comes two months after a US military parade on Donald Trump's birthday, which was described as lacklustre. Analysts say China aims to demonstrate superior military display capabilities compared to the US.
China has been emphasising its narrative of the Second World War, minimising the Western role. Xi's recent article on the war highlighted China and the Soviet Union as the main theatres, omitting US and European contributions. Recent Chinese films have also focused on China's war experience, such as 'Dead to Rights' about the Nanjing massacre.
