• President Xi Jinping used a major military parade to thank the U.S. for its WWII support while reinforcing China's historical narrative.
  • The event, attended by Russian, North Korean, and Iranian leaders, was widely boycotted by Western nations and criticized by Japan and Taiwan.
  • The massive display of military hardware and nationalistic sentiment comes amid domestic economic challenges and rising geopolitical tensions.

Chinese President Xi Jinping struck a rare conciliatory note toward the United States during a speech marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, stating that China "will not forget U.S. support" during the conflict. The remarks, reported by the state-run Xinhua News Agency, were delivered at a massive military parade in Beijing featuring over 12,000 People's Liberation Army troops and showcasing advanced military technology.

Despite the acknowledgment of historical U.S. support, the event's primary focus was on reinforcing China's geopolitical positioning and historical narrative. The presence of leaders from Russia, North Korea, and Iran underscored a clear alignment against Western powers, with European diplomats privately describing the gathering as an "anti-Western coalition."

Japan strongly objected to the event, with its government urging other nations not to attend, citing concerns over anti-Japanese sentiment and the promotion of China's version of history. The European Union largely downscaled or boycotted attendance due to Russian participation, according to people familiar with the diplomatic arrangements.

The parade has also intensified cross-strait tensions. Taiwan’s government, which notes its Republic of China lineage served as a main combatant and signatory after WWII, criticized the event as historical revisionism. Officials in Taipei imposed penalties for any participation or promotion of the event by Taiwanese citizens. In response, China asserted the victory was shared by "all Chinese people," including those in Taiwan, further pushing its sovereignty claim.

Domestically, public enthusiasm was reportedly high, though authorities censored dissent and arrested critics of the parade. The Mainland Affairs Council of Taiwan drew attention to resource allocation issues, criticizing China for spending approximately NT$150 billion on the event amid ongoing domestic economic challenges.

Expert commentary suggests China will continue using historic commemorations to fortify its global narrative, particularly in challenging Western influence and legitimizing claims over Taiwan. The event signals to both domestic and international audiences China's aspirations to reshape the global order, potentially leading to further friction with the U.S., Japan, and Europe regarding historical memory and geopolitical alignments.