BEIJING – Chinese President Xi Jinping oversaw a massive military parade in Beijing to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. The event, which was attended by 26 world leaders, showcased China’s latest military advancements, including its newest generation of stealth fighters, tanks, and ballistic missiles.

According to a report from Al Jazeera, the parade also featured the public unveiling of the country’s nuclear triad for the first time. President Xi addressed 10,000 members of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), Navy, and Air Force, emphasizing China’s commitment to “a path of peaceful development” while also thanking foreign governments for their support against “Japanese aggression.”

The article notes that the parade served to reinforce the idea that China has “arrived as a great power” under Xi’s leadership and that the presence of foreign leaders signaled that the country “cannot be isolated.” Among the notable attendees were Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

Source: This rewritten article is based on reporting from Al Jazeera. Sources