China Unveils Advanced Military Arsenal in Largest WW2 Anniversary Parade

China marked the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II with a grand military parade in Tiananmen Square, showcasing advanced domestically produced weaponry including hypersonic missiles, tanks, air defense systems, and unmanned vehicles, highlighting its modernized strategic forces and nuclear triad. The parade, attended by 50,000 people including foreign leaders such as Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un, served as a demonstration of China's military strength and a message of its rising global influence under President Xi Jinping, who emphasized the critical choices facing humanity between peace and war. China’s display underscored its dominance in the rare earth elements market, essential for high-tech military equipment, while restricting U.S. defense companies’ access to these materials amid ongoing tensions. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump hosted a White House dinner with leading tech CEOs, emphasizing American technological and AI strengths and pressing for increased domestic investment, contrasting the U.S. focus on tech innovation with China's manufacturing and military advancements. The event highlighted the geopolitical rivalry as China projects power and seeks a multipolar global order, while the U.S. leverages technological leadership and economic policies to maintain its competitive edge.