China held a large-scale military parade to mark the 80th anniversary of its victory over Japan, with President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un all in attendance. In the parade, China’s military unveiled numerous new cutting-edge weapons, including nuclear-capable ICBMs.
China held a military parade every year since the founding of the People’s Republic of China in 1949 through October 1959. The parade was discontinued after that, before being revived in 1984. Military parades on Victory Day, however, are a new feature of the Xi era. The first was held in 2015 to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of the war. This week was just the second time China has marked the occasion with a massive military parade.
The parade on September 3 is the first time in 66 years that the leaders of China, Russia, and North Korea have all met together in Beijing. They last did so at the 1959 military parade, during the height of the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union. Just like in 1959, the military parade this week reflects the current severe global situation of conflict and division between the United States and China. The military parade brought together a group of anti-American leaders, such as the leaders of Russia, North Korea, and Iran.
With the parade, Beijing celebrated not only the 80th anniversary of the victory in what is officially known as the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, but also the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations.
In response, U.S. President Donald Trump ironically said in a post on Truth Social, “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 (North Korean leader) Kim Jong Un, as you conspire against The United States of America.”
The latest parade was aimed at greatly enhancing China’s national prestige and demonstrating its national power by displaying over 100 types of domestically produced weapons, including new nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs).
Overall, the parade showcased new-age warfare methods, rather than the traditional land, sea, and air divisions. It showed off practical warfare methods, such as hypersonic missiles and the military aircraft that can carry them, the coordination of unmanned and manned aircraft, and the importance of information operations and logistical support.
Under its new multidomain doctrine, China used the parade to demonstrate integrated joint operations and improved operational capabilities for a new era. It presented a diverse range of warfare methods, apparently preparing for an armed conflict with Taiwan, and gave the impression of a hybrid warfare, both traditional and new.
Below are some of the main new weapons on display during the parade.
Strengthening Nuclear Forces
The military parade saw the debut of the JL-3, a new submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) capable of carrying a nuclear warhead. Compared to the previous generation, its maximum range has been extended, meaning that the entire U.S. mainland is within range even if the submarine is launching the missile from the South China Sea or East China Sea near China, without having to advance into the Pacific Ocean.
This will make it even more difficult for the U.S. military to pinpoint the location of Chinese nuclear submarines. From China’s perspective, it will be able to launch nuclear missiles by going unnoticed to start launch preparations. (China has said that it will not use nuclear weapons first.)
The military parade also saw the debut of China’s next-generation ICBM, the DF-61. At present, no specific information has been released about the DF-61’s range, number of warheads, propulsion method, deployment status, or performance, but it is estimated to be over 20 meters long and believed to be larger and more capable than the DF-41, which is said to have a range of about 11,200 km and the ability to carry 10 warheads.
The new solid-fueled DF-61 may have a range of over 12,000 km and be capable of hitting the entire U.S. mainland.
Furthermore, a new liquid-fueled ICBM, the DF-5C, was also unveiled for the first time. China showcased it by showing the warhead and fuselage propulsion sections separately. It could may have a range exceeding 20,000 km, and can carry up to 10 nuclear warheads and reach speeds over Mach 10.
Overall, Beijing surely intended to show that it has already has strategic nuclear weapons and equal power with the United States as a very strong deterrent.
The YJ-21 hypersonic missile debuted during the Sept. 3 military parade. Screenshot/ CCTV.
Hypersonic Missiles
The military parade also showcased a number of hypersonic missiles, including the YJ-21, which made its debut. The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Eastern Theater Command deployed the H-6K bomber carrying YJ-21 air-launched ballistic missile during its joint exercises around Taiwan on April 1. It’s been dubbed yet another “aircraft carrier killer,” capable of striking U.S. aircraft carriers at Mach 10 (10 times the speed of sound) and with a range of about 2,000 kilometers. This suggests a strong intention to prevent U.S. forces from approaching.
The HQ-29, a nw mobile exo-atmospheric air defense system, during the Sep. 3 military parade. Screenshot/ CCTV
Mobile Air Defense Platform
Beijing also showcased the HQ-29, a new mobile exo-atmospheric air defense system designed to counter advanced threats. China claims the new platform can intercept hypersonic missiles, but it is unclear whether it can actually do so.
An unmanned surface vessel (USV) in the Sep. 3 military parade. Screenshot/ CCTV
New Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV)
The parade featured numerous unmanned vehicles, including new unmanned surface vessels (USVs), large underwater drones, and many unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). It’s extremely rare to see something that operates at sea on land, making the USV’s presence in the parade notable. Attention is focused on whether these drones can utilize artificial intelligence (AI).
Laser Air Defense System
China unveiled its new LY-1 ship-based directed-energy laser system (DEW) capable of shooting down drones and missiles. The shape of the system is very similar to the vehicle-mounted laser systems being developed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Kawasaki Heavy Industries of Japan, but its performance and specifications are unknown.
MIA: China’s Sixth-generation Fighter Jet
Before the parade, there was speculation around the world that China’s new sixth-generation fighter jet would be also on display. The stealth combat aircraft made its first public appearance in December 2024, but it did not appear during the parade. Perhaps it is still under development.
The Implications for Japan
China explained that all of the more than 100 types of weapons it displayed at the parade were domestically produced. Even as the Chinese economy slows, China’s defense spending has increased by more than 7 percent for four consecutive years, reaching about 4.2 times that of Japan. Militarily, Tokyo will find it very difficult to compete with Beijing on its own.
To cope with growing military threats from China. the U.S. Army will deploy its mid-range missile system, Typhon, to Japan for the first time during a U.S. Marine Corps-led exercise called Resolute Dragon 25 scheduled for September 11-25 across Japan, including Okinawa. Typhon can fire Tomahawk and SM-6 missiles from land.
In July of this year, the U.S. Marine Corps deployed two new weapons – the highly mobile, short-range air defense system Marine Air Defense Integrated System (MADIS) and the surface-to-ship missile Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System(NMESIS) – to Camp Hansen in Kin Town, Okinawa Prefecture. MADIS and NMESIS are also scheduled to be deployed to Ishigaki Island in Okinawa as part of the Japan-U.S. joint exercise Resolute Dragon 25.
Such new movements by U.S. forces in Japan are also highly likely to become more active in coming years as they counter China.