Chris Hughes serves as the Defence and Security Editor at the Daily Mirror and was honored as the specialist journalist of the year in 2013 at the UK Press Awards. With extensive reporting experience from conflict zones like Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Ukraine, and global terror incidents such as 9-11, Chris provides exclusive analysis on Substack here – https://hostileworld.substack.com/
The recent military parade in China went beyond commemorating its role in the Second World War, showcasing remarkable marching precision, advanced weaponry including missiles and newly unveiled lethal equipment, demonstrating a significant show of military strength.
The parade also conveyed a message of solidarity among authoritarian leaders like North Korea’s Kim Jong-un and Russia’s Vladimir Putin, seemingly directed as a defiant gesture towards the US and western nations in response to perceived economic pressure under the leadership of Donald Trump. The massive display involving ten thousand troops marching in synchronized formation and a formidable array of weaponry carried a weighty message demanding serious attention.
During a cordial meeting with Xi, Putin referred to him as a “dear friend” and emphasized the strategic significance of the strong ties between China and Russia. This diplomatic gesture seemed to intentionally challenge Donald Trump’s authority, aiming to elevate China, Russia, and their allies while belittling the US.
The public display of camaraderie between the leaders of China and Russia, bordering on disdain for the US and Donald Trump, following the recent Putin-Trump summit in Alaska, appeared calculated to provoke a jealous and angry response from Trump, possibly indicating a deliberate move to incite a reaction.
The symbolic image of President Xi Jinping of China flanked by Putin and Kim at the event carried historical significance as the three leaders strengthen their ties. The underlying message suggested Xi’s ambition to solidify China’s leadership role in the regional military and economic sphere, with Russia and North Korea increasingly reliant on China’s support. Both Xi and Putin addressed the assembled leaders, further emphasizing their unified front.
The perceived snub towards the US and Donald Trump, particularly evident in Trump’s reaction expressing bitterness and feeling outmaneuvered by Putin, highlights the complex power dynamics at play. Prof Glees from the University of Buckingham characterized the meeting as indicative of a shift towards China’s ascendancy through its strategic alliances, potentially forming a coalition with aggressive powers like Russia and North Korea to assert dominance and expand their territories.
Xi’s declaration urging a choice between peace and war, dialogue and confrontation, and win-win versus zero-sum outcomes, coupled with his assertion of China’s resilience against perceived bullying, served as a veiled warning directed at the US and its allies, signaling China’s unwavering stance in the face of challenges.
The event also underscored Putin’s political maneuvers, leveraging his relationship with China to bolster his position on the global stage, despite internal challenges and ongoing conflicts. By aligning with China for economic benefits and military support, Putin seeks to maintain his domestic narrative while projecting strength internationally.
Both Putin and Xi’s actions at the parade serve to reshape geopolitical perceptions, with Putin capitalizing on Russia’s wartime sacrifices to justify his actions in Ukraine, while China’s strategic moves hint at its ambitions to challenge US dominance economically and militarily in the near future.
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