Thai Times

Covering the Thai Renaissance
Sunday, Jul 19, 2026

China Unveils New Weapons in Grand Military Parade as Xi Hosts Putin and Kim

Beijing showcases hypersonic missiles, drones, and laser defense systems before global leaders, with Xi Jinping declaring China’s rise 'unstoppable.'
China staged one of its most elaborate military parades in decades on Wednesday, marking the eightieth anniversary of the end of World War II with an extensive display of its newest defense technologies.

Over ten thousand troops, more than one hundred aircraft, and hundreds of armored vehicles rolled through Beijing’s Tiananmen Square in a carefully choreographed show of power.

Chinese President Xi Jinping presided over the event alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, the first time the three had appeared together publicly.

Xi told the assembled troops and dignitaries that China’s rise was “unstoppable” and warned that the world must “choose between peace and war,” promising that China would never be intimidated by outside pressure.

The parade introduced several cutting-edge weapons to the public for the first time.

Among them were the DF-61 intercontinental ballistic missile, hypersonic anti-ship missiles, extra-large undersea drones, and mobile truck- and ship-mounted laser air-defense weapons.

Officials emphasized that all equipment was domestically developed and already deployed within the People’s Liberation Army.

Also on display were electronic jamming systems, unmanned combat drones, stealth fighter jets, and missile defense technologies.

More than fifty thousand spectators watched the event in Beijing, while state media emphasized national pride and self-reliance.

Social media within China was filled with patriotic commentary, with users celebrating the nation’s ability to rival Western military powers.

Foreign leaders from around twenty-six countries attended, many representing states seeking closer ties with Beijing and Moscow.

Western nations, including the United States, Japan, and European Union members, declined to participate, underscoring the growing divide in international alignments.

The presence of Putin and Kim lent the parade significant geopolitical weight.

Russia’s leader is expected to hold formal talks with Kim in Beijing, signaling tightening coordination between Moscow and Pyongyang at a time of ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

For Xi, the united appearance with two of Washington’s chief adversaries projected an image of a shifting global balance of power.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump commented on the spectacle through his Truth Social platform, noting that Xi, Putin, and Kim appeared to be conspiring against the United States.

Trump has repeatedly emphasized America’s unmatched military capacity and has warned adversaries that any threat to U.S. citizens would be met with overwhelming force.

The display also carried sharp regional implications.

Japan, which has branded China its greatest security challenge, reiterated its postwar commitment to peace while accelerating a major military buildup.

Taiwan, the self-governed island that Beijing claims as its own, closely monitored the unveiling of new weapons, interpreting them as a message about China’s readiness to enforce its territorial claims by force if necessary.

China’s parade was not only a commemoration of wartime history but also a clear signal of its modern capabilities and ambitions.

By presenting an arsenal of advanced technologies and standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Russia and North Korea, Xi underscored Beijing’s intent to reshape global order and assert military parity with the West.
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Ukrainian Drone Barrage Kills Eight and Strikes Russian Logistics Network
The Ten World Cup Finals That Defined Football History
Smartphones Are Getting More Expensive, Sales Are Collapsing, and Even Apple Admits: "Prices Will Rise"
The Monaco Bombing Has Become a Test of Ukraine’s Intelligence Accountability
Leadership Change and Strategic Rivalry Redraw the Political Map
Energy Risk, Uneven Growth and the New Geography of Global Capital
The AI Race Enters Its Infrastructure Era
Thailand Tourism Sector Remains a Key Economic Focus as Industry Demand and Policy Issues Continue
Thailand Investors Follow Artificial Intelligence and Global Technology Trends as Market Interest Expands
Thai Rath Finds No Major Breaking Economic or Policy Development in Latest Thailand Coverage
For 36 Years, He Scammed About 300 Luxury Hotels — Until He Was Caught
Thailand Gold Prices Hit Record High as Government Launches Eight Billion Baht Digital Bond
Thailand Tightens State Welfare Screening as Eligible Recipients Fall to 9.51 Million
Thailand Leads 153-Business Delegation to China to Attract Artificial Intelligence and Clean Energy Investment
Advanced Manufacturing and Tourism Drive Thailand’s Next Phase of Growth
Thailand Leads Global Cross-Border E-Commerce Adoption, DHL Report Finds
Destination Thailand Visa Drives Growth in Long-Term Foreign Remote Workers and Digital Nomads
Koh Samui Named World’s Best Island in International Travel and Leisure Rankings
Thailand Plans Two Billion Baht Tourism Stimulus Package to Boost Travel Demand Before Peak Season
Thailand Secures More Than Four Billion Dollars in Electric Vehicle Supply Chain Investment Commitments
Thai Stocks Rally Thirty Percent as Foreign Investors Return and Technology Listings Gain Momentum
Thailand Records Sixty-Eight Percent Surge in First-Half Foreign Direct Investment as Technology and Manufacturing Projects Expand
Britain Nationalises British Steel to Protect Scunthorpe Production and Strategic Supply
Andy Burnham Takes Labour Leadership and Prepares to Become Britain’s Seventh Prime Minister in a Decade
Tech Companies Want to Move Computing Off Your Screen and Onto Your Body
White House Teleprompter Operator Earned More Than $100,000 From Bets Linked to the President's Speeches
Thailand Warns U.S. Trade Measures Could Pressure Export Competitiveness
Thailand Orders Crackdown on Illegal Apartment Electricity Surcharges to Protect Tenants
Thailand and China Deepen AI and Digital Cooperation in Talks Between Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Xi Jinping
Prime Minister Anutin Orders Crackdown on Civil Service Fraud, Land Encroachment and Foreign Ownership Violations
Bangkok Music Venue Fire That Killed 33 Triggers Nationwide Safety Review
Thailand FastPass Programme Targets Faster Investment Approvals and Better Business Connectivity
Thailand Expands Sustainable Manufacturing Focus to Attract European Companies
AI Manufacturing Investment Signals Thailand’s Shift Toward Higher-Value Industrial Production
Thailand Pushes Trade Integration and Investment Reform Through EU and OECD Initiatives
Thailand Promotes High-Tech Manufacturing Through Bio-Circular-Green Investment Strategy
Thailand Welcomes More Than Sixteen Million Foreign Tourists as Summer Travel Demand Strengthens
Thailand Accelerates EU Trade Talks and OECD Bid to Attract More European Investment
French National Assembly Overrides Senate to Pass Historic Assisted-Dying Legislation
Colombia Influencer Dies After Cosmetic Procedure at Unlicensed Bogota Salon
Thomas Tuchel Faces Fierce Backlash After Tactical Retreat Costs England World Cup Final Berth
A Quiet Bastille Day: France Grapples with World Cup Heartbreak and Leftover Fireworks
Thailand Extends Work Permits for 770,000 Migrant Workers to Support Key Industries
Bangkok Brewery Fire Death Toll Rises to 33 as Authorities Investigate Safety Failures
Thailand Expands Visa-Free Entry to 59 Countries to Boost Tourism and Investment
Spain in Ecstasy: "We Feel Unbeatable, We Taught the Whole World a Lesson"
Visa Names Thailand a Regional Leader in Digital Payments and Financial Technology
Deadly Bangkok Beerhouse Fire Kills Thirty-One and Triggers Nationwide Safety Crackdown
Thailand Launches "Road to Thailand" Campaign Ahead of International Monetary Fund and World Bank Annual Meetings
Thailand Deepens Trade and Diplomatic Cooperation With International Partners
×