The military power of the People’s Republic of China was on striking display as Beijing commemorated the 80th anniversary of World War Two’s end with a massive parade at Tiananmen Square. The high-tech weaponry, disciplined troops, and sheer scale of the event projected a clear message of China’s global ambitions.
Thousands of miles away, Donald Trump admitted he was watching. Calling the display “very, very impressive,” he later accused Xi Jinping of conspiring with Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un. Trump, who himself relishes military pageantry, contrasted China’s futuristic showcase with his own nostalgic parades rooted in American history.
For China, the symbolism extended beyond military muscle—it was an attempt to rewrite history and claim a decisive role in defeating fascism, positioning Beijing as the heir to global leadership. Meanwhile, Trump’s tariffs and “America First” policies have strained alliances, inadvertently pushing Russia, China, and India closer together.
The spectacle highlighted a shift: as America grapples with internal political battles, China is methodically building a narrative of power, order, and destiny. The challenge for Washington is no longer ceremonial—it is the relentless rise of China’s military and diplomatic reach.
