On September 3, 2025, China celebrated the 80th anniversary of its victory over
Japan in the Second Sino-Japanese war with a massive military parade. The parade was
attended by Multiple Chinese allies most notably Vladimir Putin the President of the
Russian Federation, as well as the Supreme Leader of the DPRK Kim Jong-un. Many other
heads of state from countries that fought Japan during the second world war also
attended, as did most of the heads of states from post-soviet countries.

While the attendance of so many heads of states from some of the world most
powerful nations was certainly impressive, the showcase of dozens of brand-new weapon
systems was by far the most notable part of the parade. During the parade, the PLAGF
(Peoples Liberation Army Ground Forces) displayed the new Type-100 (light tank and FSV)
platforms and the new Type-99B (MBT) variant.

The PLAAF (Peoples Liberation Army Airforce) displayed the J-20a, J-20s and J-35 5th
generation fighters along with the electronic warfare variant of the J-11 the PLAAF also
showed off Arieal tankers, cargo planes as well as H-6 strategic bombers. during the
flyover. However, the most important development was certainly the missiles shown off by
the PLARF (Peoples Liberation Army Rocket Force). The PLARF displayed YJ-15 YJ-19 YJ-17
and YJ-20 hypersonic anti-ship missiles. The PLARF also showed off two new
intercontinental ballistic missiles JL-1 and the DF-61. The parade was also one of the first
showcases of the PLA’s two new branches, the Cyberspace Force and the Information
Support Force, both of which specialize in cyberwarfare and cyber communications
respectively. Both branches were established in April of last year due to the ever-
increasing complexity of cyberwarfare and its increasing importance to the outcome of
large-scale military operations that China may engage in.

Despite the seriousness of the Parade there were still some less serious aspects to
it the most memorable was the hot mic between Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping about the
possibility of immortality according to the Guardian Putin’s through an interpreter said this
“Human organs can be continuously transplanted. The longer you live, the younger you
become, and [you can] even achieve immortality.” Xi responded that “Some predict that in
this century humans may live to 150 years old.” Putin later confirmed the reports that he
and Xi were discussing the progress in biotechnology and the lengthening of the human
lifespan.

International reactions to the Parade were mostly Indifferent or negative with
Donald Trump stating that the parade was not a challenge of the United State’s power

that the ceremony was “beautiful”

Sources: 
“Hot Mic Catches Putin and XI Discussing Organ Transplants and Immortality.” The
Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 3 Sept. 2025,
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/sep/03/hot-mic-catches-vladimir-putin-xi-
jinping-discussing-organ-transplants-immortality.

“China Military Parade 2025 Live: Putin, Kim Jong Un Attend as Weapons on Display.”
YouTube, YouTube, 3 Sept. 2025, www.youtube.com/watch?v=-aH6rGs-_Q4
.
Trump Says China Should Have Mentioned Us during “beautiful Ceremony” | Reuters,
www.reuters.com/world/china/trump-says-china-should-have-mentioned-us-
during-beautiful-ceremony-2025-09-03/. Accessed 19 Sept. 2025.