China to showcase hypersonic weapons at WWII anniversary parade
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China will mark the 80th anniversary of Japan's WWII surrender with a large-scale Beijing parade showcasing new hypersonic missiles, advanced aircraft, and cutting-edge military systems.
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Workers on the platforms install flowers on a floral decoration along the Chang'an street ahead of the September 3 military parade to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Japan's World War II surrender, in Beijing, Monday, August 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
China will hold a major military parade in Beijing next month to mark 80 years since Japan's surrender in World War II, with tens of thousands of participants scheduled to take part, and unveiling a new generation of advanced weaponry.
Military officials announced on Wednesday that the September 3 "Victory Day" event will showcase hundreds of aircraft, from fighter jets to bombers, as well as cutting-edge systems such as precision-strike weapons capable of traveling at five times the speed of sound. Trucks with anti-drone technology, modern tanks, and early warning aircraft designed to shield China's aircraft carriers are also expected to be featured.
Additions to the country's missile arsenal, particularly anti-ship variants and hypersonic models, are anticipated to draw close scrutiny as the US and its allies prepare strategies to counter China in potential regional conflicts. "(The weapons and equipment) will fully demonstrate our military's robust ability to adapt to technological advancements, evolving warfare patterns, and win future wars," said Wu Zeke, deputy director of the parade. Many of the systems will be revealed publicly for the first time.
China's final test of new hypersonic air-to-air missile
— RT (@RT_com) March 1, 2025
Shooting star streak across Inner Mongolia sky
Designed to take on advanced stealth bombers, with a 1,000km operational range pic.twitter.com/GERrADqeHi
China's military ascendancy
The spectacle comes amid a historic shift in China's military posture. The People's Liberation Army (PLA) is rapidly modernizing, with over 370 naval vessels making it the world's largest fleet by size, while its nuclear stockpile has expanded to an estimated 600 warheads and could exceed 1,000 by 2030.
Hypersonic glide vehicles, new missile silos, and advanced stealth aircraft like the J-20 highlight Beijing's focus on deterrence and technological parity with Washington. Reforms introduced in 2024 have created new aerospace and information warfare commands, reflecting the PLA’s move toward integrated multi-domain operations.
The roughly 70-minute parade, featuring 45 troop formations, will be reviewed by President Xi Jinping in Tiananmen Square. Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to attend, though Chinese officials have not disclosed whether other foreign leaders or overseas troops will participate.
Read more: Putin, Xi Jinping hold talks ahead of Victory Day's 80th anniversary
By contrast, the 2015 commemoration involved more than 12,000 soldiers and 500 pieces of equipment, but many Western leaders stayed away, wary of Beijing's military messaging. Foreign attendees then included former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.
In preparation for next month's event, Beijing has tightened security in the capital, setting up checkpoints, rerouting traffic, and closing commercial centers near the venue. Two rehearsals earlier this month drew 20,000 and 40,000 participants respectively, including troops, police, and spectators.
