On September 3, 2025, Beijing’s Tiananmen Square will host a grand Victory Day parade, marking the 80th anniversary of Japan’s surrender in World War II. Amid the display of nuclear missiles, tanks, and fifth-generation fighter jets, all eyes will be on two prominent guests: North Korea’s Kim Jong Un and Russia’s Vladimir Putin. Invited by Chinese President Xi Jinping, their presence alongside 26 other world leaders raises questions about the strategic motives behind this rare gathering.
Is it about nuclear ambitions, economic aid, or a bold message to the West? Drawing on insights from BBC’s Korean, Russian, and Chinese services, this article explores the purpose of their visit and its implications for global geopolitics. (Kim Jong Un and Putin Visiting China)
A Historic Gathering: Kim, Putin, and Xi
The Victory Day parade is more than a military spectacle; it’s a diplomatic stage where China, North Korea, and Russia will showcase their unity. For Kim Jong Un, this marks his first multilateral international event and his first trip to China since 2019. For Putin, it’s a chance to reinforce his global standing after years of isolation due to Western sanctions. The presence of these leaders, who rarely travel abroad, underscores the significance of this event. (Kim Jong Un and Putin Visiting China)
This is the first time since 1959 that a North Korean leader will attend China’s military parade, and the first instance of China, Russia, and North Korea’s leaders appearing together. The trio’s alignment signals a potential strengthening of a China-Russia-North Korea axis, raising concerns about their collective influence on global security, trade, and diplomacy.
North Korea’s Motives: Economic Aid and Prestige
Kim Jong Un’s visit comes at a critical time for North Korea, which faces severe economic challenges, including rising rice prices and limited foreign exchange. BBC Korean’s Juna Moon highlights that Kim seeks China’s economic support to ensure the 80th anniversary of North Korea’s Workers’ Party in October 2025 and the Ninth Party Congress in 2026 are celebrated with grandeur, not austerity.
Key objectives for Kim include:
- Economic Assistance: North Korea relies heavily on China, which accounts for nearly 90% of its food imports. Kim hopes to secure aid to stabilize the economy and fund domestic celebrations.
- Tourism Boost: Pyongyang is banking on Chinese tourists to revive its Wonsan-Kalma coastal resort, a project requiring Beijing’s approval to attract visitors. In 2019, North Korea welcomed 300,000 tourists, mostly Chinese, but the pandemic halted this revenue stream. Kim’s visit could pave the way for renewed tourism flows.
- Diplomatic Prestige: Standing alongside Xi Jinping and Putin, Kim aims to project North Korea as a central player in a potential China-Russia-North Korea alliance. He may also invite Xi to the Workers’ Party celebrations to elevate his domestic and international stature.
Kim’s strategy involves balancing ties with Beijing and Moscow to avoid over-reliance on either. This visit offers a rare opportunity to engage both powers simultaneously, reinforcing North Korea’s geopolitical relevance.
Russia’s Agenda: Reclaiming Global Influence
For Vladimir Putin, the Beijing parade is a chance to shed his pariah status and reassert Russia’s place on the world stage. BBC Russian’s Alexey Kalmikov notes that Putin’s invitation to Beijing, shortly after his meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in Alaska, is a diplomatic coup. After years of Western sanctions over Ukraine, Putin’s appearance alongside Xi and Kim signals that Russia remains a formidable player.
Key motives for Putin include:
- Restoring Legitimacy: The International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant against Putin has limited his travel. Beijing’s red-carpet welcome, following Trump’s invitation to Alaska, counters this isolation and boosts his image domestically and globally.
- Strengthening Ties with China: The parade reinforces Russia and China’s “no-limits” partnership, a message to the West that attempts to drive a wedge between Moscow and Beijing will fail.
- Countering U.S. Influence: By aligning with Xi and Kim, Putin underscores the unity of the “Global South” against U.S.-led alliances, particularly in light of growing U.S.-South Korea-Japan cooperation.
The parade also commemorates the Soviet Union’s role in World War II, allowing Putin to draw parallels with Russia’s current narrative of resisting Western dominance. This event strengthens his domestic narrative that Russia’s global position remains secure.
China’s Strategic Display: Military Might and Diplomacy
For China, the Victory Day parade is a showcase of its military prowess and diplomatic influence. The 70-minute event will feature advanced hypersonic missiles, air defense systems, and strategic nuclear weapons, signaling China’s rapid modernization of its arsenal. BBC Chinese reports that much of this equipment will be displayed for the first time, drawing global attention to China’s growing power.
Xi Jinping’s objectives include:
- Military Projection: The parade highlights China’s status as a modern military power, with an estimated 405 nuclear warheads and ongoing expansion, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. This display aims to deter adversaries and assert dominance in Asia.
- Diplomatic Leverage: Hosting 26 world leaders, including Kim and Putin, positions China as a leader of the Global South. The absence of Western leaders, except Slovakia’s Robert Fico, underscores China’s alignment with nations skeptical of U.S. influence.
- Taiwan Signal: The absence of Taiwanese representatives, unlike in 2015, reflects strained cross-strait relations. China’s insistence on Taiwan as part of its territory is reinforced by this exclusion, signaling its unwavering stance on “reunification.”
Xi’s ability to host both Kim and Putin strengthens his position in potential future talks with the U.S., especially as Trump has expressed interest in meeting both leaders. This diplomatic win enhances China’s role as a mediator in global conflicts, such as Ukraine.
Geopolitical Implications: A Message to the West
The Beijing gathering is widely seen as a response to the growing U.S.-South Korea-Japan alliance. Kim’s presence signals North Korea’s intent to deepen ties with China and Russia, potentially in areas like weapons development, military technology, and intelligence sharing. This could pose security risks for South Korea, as noted by BBC Korean, particularly if informal cooperation among Pyongyang, Beijing, and Moscow intensifies.
For the U.S., the parade sends a clear message: China, Russia, and North Korea are united against Western pressure. Trump’s recent overtures to Kim and Putin, including his interest in a meeting with Kim, may be complicated by this show of solidarity. The event also counters U.S. efforts to isolate Russia over Ukraine, as China’s hosting of Putin normalizes his international presence.
Economic and Cultural Dimensions
Beyond geopolitics, the visit has economic and cultural layers. North Korea’s push for Chinese tourism aligns with its need for foreign currency, while China’s parade reinforces its historical narrative of resisting Japanese aggression during World War II. The event also serves as a platform for Xi to project stability and strength amid global uncertainties, such as U.S. tariff disputes and regional tensions.
What to Watch For
As the parade unfolds, key developments to monitor include:
- Bilateral Meetings: Will Kim and Putin hold side talks with Xi? Such meetings could solidify agreements on economic aid, military cooperation, or tourism.
- Global Reactions: How will the U.S., South Korea, and Japan respond to this display of unity? South Korea’s absence, represented only by its parliamentary speaker, suggests caution.
- Future Alliances: Could this event pave the way for a formal China-Russia-North Korea bloc, challenging the U.S.-led order?
Final Thoughts
The 2025 Victory Day parade in Beijing is more than a commemoration; it’s a strategic platform for China, North Korea, and Russia to assert their influence. Kim Jong Un seeks economic aid and prestige, Putin aims to reclaim global legitimacy, and Xi showcases military and diplomatic might. Together, they send a powerful message to the West, with implications for global security and alliances. As Pakistan watches these developments, the event underscores the shifting dynamics of power in Asia and beyond.
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