Chinese President Xi Jinping, flanked by Russia's Vladimir Putin and North Korea's Kim Jong Un, warned that the world was facing a choice between peace or war at a massive military parade in Beijing in an unprecedented show of force.
The event to mark 80 years since Japan's defeat at the end of World War Two was largely shunned by Western leaders, with Putin and Kim the guests of honour.
Xi earlier greeted more than 25 leaders on the red carpet, including Indonesia's Prabowo Subianto who made a surprise appearance despite widespread protests at home.
Seated between Putin and Kim in the viewing gallery, Xi repeatedly engaged in conversations with both leaders as thousands of troops and materiel passed before them.
It marked the first time the trio have appeared together in public.
South Korea's President Lee Jae Myung did get an invitation, but turned it down while Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi - who met President Xi earlier this week - was also not present.
Among the world leaders attending were Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian, Pakistan's PM Shehbaz Sharif, Vietnam's Luong Cuong and Zimbabwe's Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Designed to project China's military might and diplomatic clout, the parade came as US President Donald Trump's tariffs and volatile policymaking strain its relations with allies and rivals alike.
"Today, mankind is faced with the choice of peace or war, dialogue or confrontation, win-win or zero-sum," Xi told a crowd of more than 50,000 spectators at Tiananmen Square.
Riding in an open-top limousine, Xi then inspected the troops and cutting-edge military equipment such as hypersonic missiles, underwater drones and a weaponised 'robot wolf'.
Helicopters trailing large banners and fighter jets flew in formation during a 70-minute showcase that culminated in the release of 80,000 'peace' birds.
In a post directed at Xi on Truth Social as the parade kicked off, Trump highlighted the US role in helping China secure its freedom from Japan during World War Two.
"Please give my warmest regards to Vladimir Putin, and Kim Jong Un, as you conspire against the United States of America," Trump added.
Kremlin spokesperson Yuri Ushakov
Kremlin spokesperson Yuri Ushakov said Putin was not conspiring against the United States and suggested Trump was being ironic in his remarks.
Ushakov said Putin, Xi and Kim are "not even thinking about a conspiracy against the United States" and that the three leaders understand Washington's role "in the current international situation".
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