As the golden sun bathed Tiananmen Square on the morning of September 3rd, China hosted a grand commemoration marking the 80th anniversary of its victory in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. The powerful display of military might and national pride captivated billions worldwide.

The 70-minute commemorative event and military parade set new viewership records, with live broadcasts reaching 29.6 billion cumulative views and airing on more than 2,000 media outlets across 129 countries. This moment was not only a demonstration of military strength but also a solemn tribute to the sacrifices made by heroic martyrs during World War II and a reflection on China’s pivotal role in safeguarding global peace.

In his keynote address, President Xi Jinping painted a vivid picture of a nation resolutely committed to peace, highlighting both military modernization and a vision for a harmonious global future. As international media outlets and scholars weighed in, a common thread emerged: China’s growing military power is seen less as a threat and more as a stabilizing force in an increasingly turbulent world.

President Xi’s Speech: A Call for Peace and Rejuvenation

President Xi Jinping’s speech resonated with themes of peace, historical reflection, and China’s unstoppable path toward national rejuvenation. Emphasizing the historical role of China in its 14-year-fight against Japanese aggression and fascism, Xi described the War of Resistance as a "complete victory" achieved under the banner of the national united front against Japanese aggression established at the initiative of the Communist Party of China. He stressed that this victory was not just China's, but a significant contribution to the global fight against fascism.

President Xi outlined the core principles that will guide China’s future: peace over war, dialogue over confrontation, and cooperation over zero-sum competition. He reaffirmed that China would continue its path of peaceful development and seek to build a community with a shared future for humanity. He also emphasized that the Chinese military—now a modern, world-class force—exists not to pursue aggression, but to defend China’s sovereignty and promote international stability.

A Military Parade Showcasing Innovation and Modernization

The parade that followed President Xi’s speech lit up Tiananmen Square and captivated viewers around the world. It demonstrated the transformation of the armed forces from a “millet-and-rifle” army to a stronger, smarter and more modern military.

More than 10,000 soldiers, over 100 aircraft, and hundreds of ground armaments participated, all organized under a wartime command system.

From next-generation armored equipment to cutting-edge unmanned systems and upgraded, nuclear-armed missile with global strike capability, the event sent a powerful signal: China is embracing a high-tech path to military modernization.

Several key themes stood out during the parade.

A newly restructured force, coming into being after the "4 services + 4 arms" military reform, was on full display. The “4 services” are the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Rocket Force; the “4 arms” are the Aerospace Force, Cyberspace Force, Information Support Force, and Joint Logistic Support Force. This reflects China’s evolving defense strategy, which now emphasizes technology and information warfare alongside traditional military capabilities.

Of particular interest were the advanced unmanned combat systems. Divided into land, sea, and air formations, these systems moved in precise coordinated fashion, showcasing China’s transition to intelligent and autonomous warfare.

One of the most striking moments was the display of China’s strategic nuclear triad. For the first time, China revealed all three components of its nuclear force: missiles launched from land, sea and air.

The JL-1 (Jinglei-1) air-launched long-range missile, and JL-3 (Julang-3) submarine-launched intercontinental missile were featured alongside land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles the DF-31 and DF-61. The parade culminated with the unveiling of the DF-5C, China’s newest liquid intercontinental ballistic missile with global strike capability.

The powerful display underscored China’s emergence as a nuclear power with full global reach. This display reinforced the country’s commitment to safeguarding its sovereignty and deterring potential aggression.

Yet, the impressive show of strength was not merely about power. It also carried a message of peace and defense—values President Xi emphasized in his speech.

And that message was captured by those from outside China.

Global Perspectives Affirm China’s Path of Peaceful Development

The global response to China’s 80th V-Day Parade revealed more than admiration for its scale and precision. It showed how different societies interpret China’s military rise, historical narrative, and vision of peace.

Voices from across continents echoed common themes: remembrance of history, appreciation of China’s modernization, and recognition that military strength can coexist with a commitment to peace.

From Russia, Evgenii Pavlov of Sputnik saw the parade as “very strong, organized and just beautiful,” noting it also reflected close Sino-Russian ties. He emphasis on China’s technological edge—“in some areas, it’s definitely in the first ranks and maybe even leading”—suggests that China’s innovation is being acknowledged by major powers.

In Africa, Christian Blondel Ndongo Abia from Cameroon Radio Television (CRTV) viewed the event not as a show of force but as reassurance. “China is a peace promoter. The army is a factor of peace promotion,” he said, framing modernization as a stabilizing force.

Similar sentiments came from Bulgaria’s Ignatov Tihomir Plamenov, who’s a journalist with Bulgarian National Television, stressed the importance of “remember the history, remember the victims,” placing commemoration above confrontation.

Others highlighted geopolitical dimensions. Spanish journalist Sergi Lara of Diario Digital Nuestro País linked the parade to a shifting global balance, noting “China wants to have a big role in this group of BRICS and poor countries around the world,” while also pointing to external pressures on issues like Taiwan and the South China Sea. For him, readiness is not aggression but deterrence: “No one wants war, but China is prepared if necessary.”

Internews Pakistan’s Zamir Assadi underscored the contrast between China’s intentions and Western portrayals: “The V-Day military parade was not an attempt to frighten people, but it was a tribute to the past… and a renewal of the Chinese promise of peace.”

Australian scholar Warwick Powell echoed this by pointing to U.S. bases in Asia, arguing that “when western commentators speak of China’s military modernization ‘increasing pressure’… they conveniently forget” these realities. He described the PLA's modernization as a game-changer: “It demonstrates that China is more than capable of defending itself… The US can no longer claim this mantle… The so-called second island chain is no longer a meaningful barrier.”

From South Korea, Sanjay Kumar of The Korea Herald described the parade as a “historic, paradigm-shifting moment,” praising its scale, discipline, and technological sophistication. He noted that such demonstrations, beyond signaling strength, can “affirm independence” and reshape perceptions of China’s role on the global stage.

Middle Eastern and Turkish commentators emphasized strategy and unity. Mahnaz Abdi, a journalist with Tehran Times, described Xi’s words as “a calculated move in strategic communications, … weaving together messages of military strength, diplomatic stance, and historical narratives for both domestic and international audiences.” Meanwhile Türkiye’s Ozgur Altinbas, Chief of Foreign News Service at Aydinlik, stressed civil-military integration: “A strong army is the greatest guarantee of peace… China has shown that it cannot be bullied by anyone thanks to its strong army and united people.”

Finally, from South Africa, Lance Witten, Editor-in-Chief of IOL, drew a sharp contrast between Chinese and Western leadership: “Where Western leaders… preach nationalism and division… Xi preaches multilateralism, shared values, global development and modernization. This is inspirational to me as a citizen of a proudly BRICS-aligned nation.”

Taken together, these reflections from across continents, languages, and political systems send a unified message: true strength lies not in aggression but in fostering cooperation, defending peace, and preventing history’s mistakes from being repeated. For China, this V-Day commemoration thus become more than a national moment. It was a stage for China to project a message of historical responsibility, strategic confidence, and global partnership.

As the world moves forward, it is essential to listen to these messages, recognize the value of peaceful coexistence, and find common ground in pursuing a more just and balanced global order.

About Author: Xu Yawen is a reporter and international affairs commentator with CGTN Radio, based in Beijing, covering Chinese foreign policy, technology, and the economy. She reported on China’s V-Day parade on September 3rd from Tiananmen Square.