Washington, D.C. – September 5, 2025 – U.S. President Donald Trump has confirmed that he watched China’s elaborate Victory Day military parade in Beijing, describing it as “very impressive” while openly criticising Chinese President Xi Jinping for failing to acknowledge America’s role in ending World War II.
The parade, staged at Beijing’s Tiananmen Square to mark the 80th anniversary of Japan’s defeat in 1945, featured advanced weaponry, aerial formations, and bold nationalist rhetoric. It drew more than two dozen foreign leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, North Korea’s Kim Jong Un, and Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko. The rare sight of Xi, Putin, and Kim standing side by side was widely interpreted as a pointed signal of unity among Washington’s rivals.
Trump, speaking to reporters, praised the pageantry but said the omission of U.S. contributions to Japan’s surrender was deliberate. “I thought it was a beautiful ceremony, very, very impressive, but I understood the reason they were doing it. They were hoping I was watching—and I was,” Trump said. “I was very surprised the United States wasn’t mentioned, because we helped China very, very much. That should have been acknowledged.”
The Beijing spectacle showcased China’s rapid military modernization. Fighter jets and bombers painted the skies with colored trails, while helicopters formed the number “80” overhead. Hypersonic missiles, nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missiles, and undersea drones were displayed on massive trucks rolling past Tiananmen Square, symbolizing China’s growing global clout.
Xi used the event to declare China’s determination to resist foreign pressure, stressing self-reliance and calling the nation’s rise “unstoppable.” Analysts said his fiery rhetoric, combined with the attendance of Putin and Kim, projected an image of a strengthening anti-Western bloc.
While Trump noted his relationships with Xi and Putin remained “cordial,” he suggested the spectacle was staged with Washington in mind. “We’re going to find out how good those relationships are over the next week or two,” he said.
The omission of American recognition, Trump argued, highlights the increasingly strained ties between Washington and Beijing, even as both nations navigate a delicate balance of competition and cooperation on global issues.
Courtesy: Didacus Malowa
