China's Xi hosts Putin, Kim at Beijing military parade

• China's Xi welcomes Russia's Putin, North Korea's Kim and other leaders at World War II victory parade in Beijing

• The parade commemorates 80 years since Japan surrendered to end the war

• The event comes as China, North Korea, and Russia deepen ties in opposition to the US and the West

• At least 50,000 spectators at Tiananmen Square as Chinese military showcases its power

• Dozens of leaders attend, with Slovakia's Robert Fico the only EU leader present at the event

Here's the latest on China's WWII victory parade in Beijing:

Trump lashes out at China as parade underway

US President Donald Trump commented about China's commemorations of the end of World War Two by slamming the country as conspiring "against the United States of America."

"Many Americans died in China's quest for victory and glory," Trump posted on his Truth Social account. "I hope they are rightfully honored and remembered for their bravery and sacrifice!"

"May President Xi and the wonderful people of China have a great and lasting day of celebration," Trump added. "Please give my warmest regards to Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un, as you conspire against the United States of America."

China's 'rejuvenation' is 'unstoppable,' Xi says

China President Xi Jinping said the world is facing a choice of whether it goes to a time of peace or, alternatively, to war.

Speaking in Beijing to mark 80 years since Japan's defeat at the end of World War Two, Xi said the Chinese people are committed to peace.

According to Xi, the "rejuvenation" of China and its people is "unstoppable."

Russian leader Vladimir Putin, whose country is in war with Ukraine after its full-scale invasion began in 2022, is among the leaders attending the parade.

After Xi gave his remarks, the parade officially kicked off.

Xi, Putin, Kim take seats together to watch World War II victory parade

China President Xi Jinping welcomed 26 world leaders to Beijing for the military parade in commemoration of 80 years since the end of World War II.

Upon his arrival to the ceremony at Tiananmen Square, Xi was accompanied by Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, with the three shaking hands with each other on the red carpet before taking their seats.

Besides Putin and Kim, who are some of the other prominent leaders at the parade?

A host of world leaders are at the parade in Beijing.

Among the 26 country heads attending are Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif as well as Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.

Two African leaders are in attendance: Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa and President of the Republic of the Congo Denis Sassou Nguesso.

Serbia leader Aleksandar Vucic, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko — all allies of Russia's Vladimir Putin — are the only European country heads to travel to China for the parade.

What's expected at the WWII victory parade in Beijing?

Security in and around the city of Beijing has tightened as the city expects a host of world leaders to attend a military parade commemorating 80 years since the end of World War II. The event will take place at the city's Tiananmen Square.

China is expected to put its military prowess on show, including troops, fighter jets and other forms of army equipment.

Some two dozen world leaders will join Chinese President Xi Jinping, with the most prominent of them being Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

The latter is mostly expected to draw attention in a rare trip outside the secretive country which he leads, with the dynamics between Kim, Putin and Xi also taking center stage.

The three leaders' expected photo op will likely be seen as a boost for China's leadership role on the world stage.

Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico is the only leader of an EU country expected to be at the event.

Welcome to our coverage

Welcome to DW's coverage of China's massive military parade in Beijing which marks Japan's surrender at the end of World War II.

Russia's Vladimir Putin, North Korea's Kim Jong Un and many other leaders are expected to attend the event.

Stay tuned to this blog for the latest coverage on the event and DW's analysis of its geopolitical implications.

- DW

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