China Holds Massive Military Parade Marking 80th WWII Victory Anniversary in Beijing

China held a grand military parade in Beijing to commemorate the 80th anniversary of its victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, featuring over 10,000 troops, more than 100 aircraft, and hundreds of ground armaments. The event included patriotic ceremonies such as the release of 80,000 doves and balloons over Tian'anmen Square and was attended by numerous heads of state, including North Korea's Kim Jong Un and Russia's Vladimir Putin, highlighting China's military strength and historical contributions to the defeat of fascism. Chinese President Xi Jinping led the military review, with participants and attendees expressing pride in China’s historical role and ongoing commitment to peace. However, the event sparked mixed reactions, notably from Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party, which criticized the parade as a display of Communist Party militarism and a distortion of history aimed at intimidating neighbors and co-opting Taiwanese narratives. The DPP stressed that the lessons of World War II should focus on opposing aggression and pursuing peace, warning that China’s military drills in the Taiwan Strait and surrounding seas threaten regional security. The parade and associated commemorations were extensively covered by Chinese media and international observers, underscoring the significance China places on this historical milestone and its contemporary geopolitical messaging.