The rare presence of Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un alongside Chinese President Xi Jinping at a parade in Beijing on Wednesday drew sharp criticism from the European Union, with its foreign policy chief warning that the show was “not just anti-Western optics” but a “direct challenge to the international system.““Looking at President Xi standing alongside the leaders of Russia, Iran, North Korea in Beijing today, these aren’t just anti-Western optics, this is a direct challenge to the international system built on rules,” EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas told reporters, AFP reported.“It’s not just symbolic. Russia’s war in Ukraine is being sustained by Chinese support. These are realities that Europe needs to confront now,” Kallas added.“We are experiencing deliberate attempts to change the international order. China and Russia also speak of leading changes together not seen in a hundred years and the revision of the global security order,” Kallas noted, in a follow-up speech, stressing that Europe must respond with greater geopolitical resolve.She further said that “a new global order is in the making” and that Europe cannot remain a passive observer. “It will not be shaped without Europe, but it will be shaped by what Europe is willing to do, whether we are willing to recognise the need for Europe to play a geopolitical role,” she added.The military parade, marking 80 years since the end of World War II, saw about two dozen foreign leaders join Xi at Tiananmen Square. The parade showcased thousands of Chinese troops, newly developed weaponry and a show of force meant to highlight Beijing’s growing global ambitions.
‘China would not bow to pressure from any country’
Xi, riding in an open-top black limousine along the Avenue of Eternal Peace, inspected the tightly lined ranks of troops, greeting them with a salute and the words: “Comrades, you’ve worked hard!”He told the assembled forces that China would not bow to “pressure from any country” and called for building a “world-class” military capable of modern warfare. Speaking as tensions with the US grew over trade, technology and global influence, Xi said he was working to shape an alternative to the US-led world order.
Russian leader publicly thanked Kim
The event also brought together key US rivals for the first time in years. Kim’s trip was his first multilateral engagement in his 14-year rule, while Putin used the occasion to deepen ties with both Beijing and Pyongyang. The Russian leader publicly thanked Kim for sending troops to aid Moscow’s war effort against Ukraine, singling out North Korea’s contribution in Russia’s battle for the border Kursk region.“On your initiative, as is well known, your special forces took part in the liberation of the Kursk region,” Putin told Kim during a meeting in Beijing, according to footage published by AFP. “This was in full accordance with our new agreement. I would like to note that your soldiers fought courageously and heroically. We will never forget the sacrifices made by your armed forces and the families of your servicemen,” he added.
Trump accuses Xi, Putin & Kim of conspiring
US President Donald Trump also reacted to the parade, accusing Xi, Putin and Kim of conspiring against Washington. In a Truth Social post, Trump argued that Americans had paid a heavy price to secure China’s freedom during World War II.“The big question to be answered is whether or not President Xi of China will mention the massive amount of support and ‘blood’ that The United States of America gave to China in order to help it to secure its FREEDOM from a very unfriendly foreign invader. Many Americans died in China’s quest for Victory and Glory,” Trump wrote.“I hope that they are rightfully Honored and Remembered for their Bravery and Sacrifice! May President Xi and the wonderful people of China have a great and lasting day of celebration. Please give my warmest regards to Vladimir Putin, and Kim Jong Un, as you conspire against The United States of America,” he added.The Kremlin dismissed Trump’s comments. Senior aide Yuri Ushakov said, “no one has been conspiring, no one has been plotting anything, no conspiracies.”“Trump may have been being ironic. No one even had such a thought — none of these three leaders had such a thought,” he added.
