World faces choice between war or peace, Xi Jinping warns at WWII anniversary parade
The Chinese flag is raised ahead of a military parade to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Japan’s World War II surrender held in front of Tiananmen Gate in Beijing, September 3, 2025THE world is facing a choice between peace or war, Chinese President Xi Jinping warned today during celebrations to mark the end of World War II.
He was joined in Beijing by Russian President Vladimir Putin, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and dozens of other world leaders at China’s largest-ever military parade.
The three leaders met for the first time, holding private talks after the parade in a show of diplomatic unity.
China also flexed its military muscle during the parade marking 80 years since the country’s victory over Japan, revealing aerial and underwater drones, hypersonic missiles and fighter jets and bombs.
Addressing more than 50,000 people in Tiananmen Square, Mr Xi said: “Today, humanity is again faced with the choice of peace or war, dialogue or confrontation, win-win or zero-sum.”
He declared that China “is never intimidated by any bullies” and “unstoppable.”
Mr Xi also said that the world must “never return to the law of the jungle, where the strong prey on the weak” during a lunch reception speech stressing the establishment of the United Nations and international law as achievements of anti-fascist victory.
“We sincerely hope that all countries will draw lessons from history, value peace and work together to … create a brighter future for humanity,” he said.
He concluded by toasting to “common prosperity for all humankind.”
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