In international relations — both civilian and military — large-scale military parades carry deep symbolic weight. They are not merely shows of strength but messages about the future: an open declaration that a new power is emerging, ready to assert its goals and impose them on the world.
This was the clear message behind China’s recent military parade, attended by President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. It was the largest event of its kind in China since 2019 and, for the first time, featured the display of Beijing’s strategic nuclear arsenal. While Chinese officials framed the parade as a move to safeguard their “legitimate interests, national sovereignty, and territorial integrity,” Western commentators interpreted it as a direct challenge to the United States. President Donald Trump quickly accused China, Russia, and North Korea of conspiring against America and seeking to surpass its global dominance.
From Unipolar to Multipolar
The world is currently witnessing a contest between unipolarity — dominated by the U.S. — and emerging multipolarity led by the East. The philosophy of this multipolar vision is rooted in the strategies of China, Russia, and increasingly India. Speeches by Xi and Putin highlight this gradual global shift: international relations are slowly tilting toward the Eastern axis, moving away from the Western orbit.
The U.S. has long relied on what it calls “smart power” — the blending of hard power and soft power — a concept used since the invasion of Iraq. Yet China’s latest parade signals something beyond this: a new form of power combining hard power, soft power, and what analysts term “sticky power.”
- Hard power: the message that China fears no external threat and will defend its sovereignty, territory, and airspace.
- Sticky power: Beijing’s vast economic ties, loans, investments, and global development initiatives, exemplified by the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and growing international partnerships.
- Soft power: China’s diplomatic language and outreach, positioning itself as a cooperative actor in global affairs.
China’s Expanding Military and Arms Market
The size and sophistication of China’s arsenal astonished global observers. Far from being only a deterrent signal, the parade showcased China as a fully modernised military power and as a reliable arms supplier. Unlike Western weaponry, often tied to political conditions that undermine state sovereignty, Chinese arms are marketed as free from such strings — a factor that is drawing many countries toward Beijing’s military industry.
This suggests the Chinese arms market is set to expand, boosted by the confidence-building effect of the parade. At the same time, Beijing sent another clear message: America is not the only country pouring hundreds of billions into military spending. China is dramatically increasing its defence budget, particularly in military technology development, blending traditional weaponry with cutting-edge innovations designed to capture global attention.
Strategic Implications for the West
For decades, global strategic conditions were tilted toward the West. Today, the center of gravity is slowly shifting eastward. While U.S. military spending remains unmatched — exceeding $800 billion annually — the gap in technological advancement between Washington and Beijing or Moscow is narrowing.
The Chinese parade was therefore both a strategic showcase and a commercial exhibition, revealing not only advanced weapons but also China’s readiness to compete in the global defence market. Trump’s dissatisfaction was clear: his long-standing narrative that “America is the strongest and most advanced” was directly challenged. The parade signalled: we are coming in this field as well. This will inevitably intensify U.S.-China tensions.
Western Shock and Fears over Taiwan
The West’s surprise reflects a lack of awareness about the scale of China’s rapid military development. The shock translated into political anxiety, with many fearing the parade foreshadows a move against Taiwan, similar to Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014 and subsequent incorporation of four Ukrainian regions in 2022. The question arises: why wouldn’t China follow the same path, given its dominance over its seas, skies, and land?
Other strategic points, such as the South China Sea and broader Asian territories, are also in play. Yet China’s leadership may still be applying Henry Kissinger’s doctrine of “strategic patience and ambiguity,” waiting for the right moment of truth.
The Eastern Bloc Ascending
What is undeniable is that the Eastern bloc — represented by China, Russia, India, and North Korea — is now asserting itself politically and militarily. But such advancement carries political, economic, and security costs. Meanwhile, the U.S. and Western powers remain committed to the idea of Western superiority, insisting that the East belongs to the past while the present and future remain firmly Western.
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