President Xi calls for worldwide harmony to eliminate war

BEIJING: President Xi Jinping on Wednesday vowed that China will adhere to the path of peaceful development, as he addressed a grand gathering in Tiananmen Square in central Beijing to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.

Humanity is again faced with a choice of peace or war, dialogue or confrontation, and win-win outcomes or zero-sum games, Xi warned.

“The Chinese people will stand firmly on the right side of history and on the side of human progress, adhere to the path of peaceful development, and join hands with the rest of world to build a community with a shared future for humanity,” he said.

President Xi called on nations across the world to eliminate the root cause of war and prevent historical tragedies from recurring.

“Common security can only be safeguarded when nations across the world treat each other as equals, live in harmony, and mutually support one another,” he said.

Xi further said the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is unstoppable and humanity’s cause of peace and development will prevail, as he directed the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) to provide strategic support for national rejuvenation and make greater contributions to world peace and development.

He urged the PLA to build itself into world-class forces and resolutely safeguard national sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity.

“The Chinese nation is a great nation that is never intimidated by any bullies and always values independence and forges ahead,” he added.

“In the past, when faced with critical struggles between good and evil, light and darkness, progress and reaction, the Chinese people rallied together to defy the enemy. They fought for the survival of the country, for the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, and for justice of the whole humanity,” Xi said.

The president noted that the Chinese people made a major contribution to the salvation of human civilisation and the defence of world peace with immense sacrifice in the war against Japanese aggression – a significant part of the World Anti-Fascist War.

He added that the war marks China’s first complete victory against foreign aggression in modern times.

Following his speech, President Xi reviewed columns of troops during a military parade.

Standing in a Hongqi limousine, Xi, inspected foot, banner and armament formations along Chang’an Avenue.

China’s epic showdown of geopolitical and now military might stunned world including Western leaders as Beijing held its largest-ever parade on Wednesday, with President Xi Jinping flanked by Russia’s Vladimir Putin and North Korea’s Kim Jong Un.

The event marked 80th anniversary of end of World War II, featuring thunderous tanks, missile launches, fighter jets, and thousands of troops marching in flawless formations across Tiananmen Square.

Chinese President Xi Jinping warned world is facing a stark choice between peace and war, accusing “some countries” of bullying and declaring Beijing “unstoppable.”

The parade was a bold message to US, Europe, and neighboring nations that Beijing is ready to defend its core interests at any cost.

China Military Parade

The military showcase unveiled China’s latest weapons, from long-range nuclear-capable missiles to drones, stealth aircraft, and advanced fighter jets, signaling the country’s rapidly expanding military reach. The parade’s grand route passed Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City, watched by over 50,000 spectators and dozens of foreign leaders.

Xi’s speech repeatedly referenced “rejuvenation of the Chinese nation,” widely seen as a veiled warning regarding Taiwan. While the People’s Liberation Army has modernized significantly, it has also undergone major internal purges, highlighting Xi’s tight control over the military.

The event capped a week of high-profile diplomacy, interpreted as a subtle rebuke to the West and a clear show of support for Russia amid the ongoing Ukraine conflict.

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