China flaunts military power, new tech and new alliance at parade in Beijing

There was a massive show of Chinese military might in Beijing Wednesday, unveiling new weapons systems in a parade to celebrate victory over Japan in World War II.

While the new laser weapons and giant underwater drones were aimed at making an impression on the world stage, the most impactful image may be who China’s leader invited to stand beside him.

At the parade, Chinese soldiers can be seen marching, with laser weapons mounted on vehicles nearby.

There were also new unmanned weapons, including giant underwater drones and China’s next generation of nuclear missiles all on display for the world to see.

As the world’s most powerful authoritarian leaders — Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un — stand united in an unprecedented public show of solidarity against the west.

“The centerpiece of a new coalition, that is basically there to challenge the west,” said David Sanger, a world affairs analyst with the New York Times.

Jinping told the tens of thousands of people in attendance, “China is a great nation that does not fear violence and will not be intimidated by bullies. Today, humanity faces a choice between peace and war.”

U.S. President Donald Trump posted a message online accusing China, Russia and North Korea of conspiring against the United States.

“They were hoping I was watching, and I was watching,” said Trump.

Asked about the united front displayed by Jinping, Putin and Un, Prime Minister Mark Carney says the world is more dangerous than in decades past.

“There were challenges then, there are bigger challenges now,” said Carney. “The power balances are shifting, alliances are shifting.”

The Chinese posturing comes as the U.S. President himself just made his own show of force.

The U.S. military destroyed an alleged drug smuggling boat tied to a Venezuelan drug cartel, killing 11 people alleged to be members of the Tren de Aragua gang.

“Venezuela’s been a very bad actor,” said Trump. “They’ve been, as you know, they’ve been sending millions of people into our country, many of them Tren de Aragua.”

Tuesday’s deadly strike comes as at least eight U.S. warships sit in the waters off Venezuela, in a so-called anti-drug trafficking operation.

President of Venezuela Nicolas Maduro alleges the U.S. naval buildup is a prelude to an attempt at regime change, saying Venezuelan forces are prepared to defend the country.

While Maduro attempts to project strength against Trump, so does Putin who ended Wednesday’s parade in China by hugging Un — the man who is supplying him with troops for his war in Ukraine.

He once again thumbed his nose at Trump’s calls for peace while telling reporters in Beijing that he is ready to end the war by force, if Trump’s attempts at negotiations fail to do so.

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