China has opened a packed week with the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Tianjin and will close it with a massive military parade in Beijing. The SCO, founded in 2001 by China, Russia and four Central Asian states, now includes India, Iran, Pakistan and Belarus. Observer states Afghanistan and Mongolia joined as guests, alongside dialogue partners from Turkey to Egypt.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi headlined the summit. Southeast Asian countries including Laos, Malaysia and Vietnam also sent representatives. Indonesia’s president cancelled because of domestic unrest.
Not everyone is staying for the parade. Modi, Erdogan and Madbouly are leaving China beforehand, while North Korea’s Kim Jong Un, absent from the summit, will join President Xi Jinping and Putin in Beijing. This will be Kim’s first face-to-face with Xi in more than six years.
Why the parade matters
The parade on 3 September will commemorate Japan’s surrender in 1945 and the end of World War II. It will be China’s largest military display since 2019. More than 10,000 troops, over 100 aircraft and several hundred vehicles will roll through Tiananmen Square.
“All the weaponry and equipment on display in this military parade are domestically produced active-duty main battle equipment,” Chinese military officials said. They promised a “concentrated display of the new generation of weaponry and equipment of the Chinese military.”
Major General Wu Zeke confirmed the parade would feature “hypersonic, anti-missile defence and strategic missiles to exhibit our strong strategic deterrence capabilities.”
Missiles designed for carriers
Among the most closely watched systems are the new YJ anti-ship missiles. The YJ-15, YJ-17, YJ-19 and YJ-20 have been spotted in rehearsals. YJ stands for “Ying Ji” or “Eagle Attack.”
“China must develop powerful anti-ship and anti-aircraft carrier capabilities to prevent the United States from posing a serious threat to China’s national security,” military commentator and former PLA instructor Song Zhongping told AFP.
The YJ-17, YJ-19 and YJ-20 are believed to be hypersonic, able to fly at least five times the speed of sound and manoeuvre in mid-flight.
Underwater drones
China’s naval rehearsal revealed two massive unmanned underwater vehicles. One, labelled AJX002, measures 18 to 20 metres in length. A second was hidden under tarpaulin.
Naval News noted that while China lags the US in surface naval power, it runs the world’s largest programme of extra-large uncrewed underwater vehicles, with at least five types already at sea. These torpedo-shaped drones could carry sensors, mines or more.
Anti-missile shield
The HQ-29 interceptor remains cloaked in secrecy. Analysts in China describe it as a “satellite hunter” that could intercept missiles at altitudes of 500 kilometres, beyond the atmosphere, and potentially strike satellites in low orbit.
Mounted on a wheeled launcher with two large canisters, the HQ-29 could be China’s most advanced interception system yet, rivalling some of the most powerful in the world.
Laser claims
A large camouflaged vehicle with a rectangular top has sparked speculation. According to the South China Morning Post, it could house a high-energy laser designed to shoot down drones and missiles.
On X, the account “Zhao DaShuai,” linked to the Chinese military, declared it the “most powerful laser air defence system in the world.”
Nuclear-capable missiles
Analysts expect a display of intercontinental ballistic missiles. Song Zhongping told AFP: “China will showcase a new generation of nuclear weapons.” He added that these weapons “will help equalise the military power balance between China and the US.”
Such missiles, capable of carrying nuclear warheads, remain the ultimate symbol of military power and will be one of the most watched elements of the parade.
Tanks and armoured vehicles
Rehearsals have revealed a new tank slightly smaller than the PLA’s Type 99A main battle tank, which has been in service since 2011. The new model features a four-sided radar, active protection systems and an uncrewed turret.
James Char of Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University commented: “If this and the other equipment displayed on September 3 is indeed produced domestically and in service, as China claims, then the armed forces have undergone a significant upgrade vis-a-vis other major advanced militaries around the world.” He cautioned, however, that “we won’t be able to assess the actual capabilities of all the weapons and equipment under this ceremonial (and non-operational) setting.”
A show of allies
Beyond the military technology, the guest list itself is significant. Putin will again join Xi in Beijing, as he did in 2015. Kim Jong Un’s presence is his first with a broad group of world leaders since taking power in 2011. Myanmar’s junta chief Min Aung Hlaing, Cuba’s Miguel Díaz-Canel, and the leaders of Congo and Zimbabwe will also attend.
From Europe, only Serbia’s Aleksandar Vucic and Slovakia’s Robert Fico are expected. Their presence highlights the divide between China’s partners and the Western leaders who have largely stayed away.
The parade will last around 70 minutes. Troops will march in formation down Chang’an Avenue, with Xi, Putin and Kim potentially seated together in Tiananmen Square. The image will be hard to ignore.
Beijing has not condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and is accused of supplying Moscow with weapon components. North Korea, meanwhile, has sent troops to aid Russia. The optics of the three leaders together will be read as a defiant message, even if China continues to insist on neutrality.
For Beijing, the parade is both remembrance and projection. It recalls the end of war in 1945, but it also places China’s newest missiles, drones and tanks in front of the world. Rivals, neighbours and allies alike will be watching every detail.
(With inputs from AFP, AP, Reuters)
Russian President Vladimir Putin, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi headlined the summit. Southeast Asian countries including Laos, Malaysia and Vietnam also sent representatives. Indonesia’s president cancelled because of domestic unrest.
Not everyone is staying for the parade. Modi, Erdogan and Madbouly are leaving China beforehand, while North Korea’s Kim Jong Un, absent from the summit, will join President Xi Jinping and Putin in Beijing. This will be Kim’s first face-to-face with Xi in more than six years.
Why the parade matters
The parade on 3 September will commemorate Japan’s surrender in 1945 and the end of World War II. It will be China’s largest military display since 2019. More than 10,000 troops, over 100 aircraft and several hundred vehicles will roll through Tiananmen Square.
“All the weaponry and equipment on display in this military parade are domestically produced active-duty main battle equipment,” Chinese military officials said. They promised a “concentrated display of the new generation of weaponry and equipment of the Chinese military.”
Major General Wu Zeke confirmed the parade would feature “hypersonic, anti-missile defence and strategic missiles to exhibit our strong strategic deterrence capabilities.”
Missiles designed for carriers
Among the most closely watched systems are the new YJ anti-ship missiles. The YJ-15, YJ-17, YJ-19 and YJ-20 have been spotted in rehearsals. YJ stands for “Ying Ji” or “Eagle Attack.”
“China must develop powerful anti-ship and anti-aircraft carrier capabilities to prevent the United States from posing a serious threat to China’s national security,” military commentator and former PLA instructor Song Zhongping told AFP.
The YJ-17, YJ-19 and YJ-20 are believed to be hypersonic, able to fly at least five times the speed of sound and manoeuvre in mid-flight.
Underwater drones
China’s naval rehearsal revealed two massive unmanned underwater vehicles. One, labelled AJX002, measures 18 to 20 metres in length. A second was hidden under tarpaulin.
Naval News noted that while China lags the US in surface naval power, it runs the world’s largest programme of extra-large uncrewed underwater vehicles, with at least five types already at sea. These torpedo-shaped drones could carry sensors, mines or more.
Anti-missile shield
The HQ-29 interceptor remains cloaked in secrecy. Analysts in China describe it as a “satellite hunter” that could intercept missiles at altitudes of 500 kilometres, beyond the atmosphere, and potentially strike satellites in low orbit.
Mounted on a wheeled launcher with two large canisters, the HQ-29 could be China’s most advanced interception system yet, rivalling some of the most powerful in the world.
Laser claims
A large camouflaged vehicle with a rectangular top has sparked speculation. According to the South China Morning Post, it could house a high-energy laser designed to shoot down drones and missiles.
On X, the account “Zhao DaShuai,” linked to the Chinese military, declared it the “most powerful laser air defence system in the world.”
Nuclear-capable missiles
Analysts expect a display of intercontinental ballistic missiles. Song Zhongping told AFP: “China will showcase a new generation of nuclear weapons.” He added that these weapons “will help equalise the military power balance between China and the US.”
Such missiles, capable of carrying nuclear warheads, remain the ultimate symbol of military power and will be one of the most watched elements of the parade.
Tanks and armoured vehicles
Rehearsals have revealed a new tank slightly smaller than the PLA’s Type 99A main battle tank, which has been in service since 2011. The new model features a four-sided radar, active protection systems and an uncrewed turret.
James Char of Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University commented: “If this and the other equipment displayed on September 3 is indeed produced domestically and in service, as China claims, then the armed forces have undergone a significant upgrade vis-a-vis other major advanced militaries around the world.” He cautioned, however, that “we won’t be able to assess the actual capabilities of all the weapons and equipment under this ceremonial (and non-operational) setting.”
A show of allies
Beyond the military technology, the guest list itself is significant. Putin will again join Xi in Beijing, as he did in 2015. Kim Jong Un’s presence is his first with a broad group of world leaders since taking power in 2011. Myanmar’s junta chief Min Aung Hlaing, Cuba’s Miguel Díaz-Canel, and the leaders of Congo and Zimbabwe will also attend.
From Europe, only Serbia’s Aleksandar Vucic and Slovakia’s Robert Fico are expected. Their presence highlights the divide between China’s partners and the Western leaders who have largely stayed away.
The parade will last around 70 minutes. Troops will march in formation down Chang’an Avenue, with Xi, Putin and Kim potentially seated together in Tiananmen Square. The image will be hard to ignore.
Beijing has not condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and is accused of supplying Moscow with weapon components. North Korea, meanwhile, has sent troops to aid Russia. The optics of the three leaders together will be read as a defiant message, even if China continues to insist on neutrality.
For Beijing, the parade is both remembrance and projection. It recalls the end of war in 1945, but it also places China’s newest missiles, drones and tanks in front of the world. Rivals, neighbours and allies alike will be watching every detail.
(With inputs from AFP, AP, Reuters)
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