A Show of Military Might, Diplomatic Alignments, and Historical Reinterpretation

Beijing has implemented extensive security measures in preparation for a large-scale military parade. These measures include airport scanners at office entrances, road closures for rehearsals, drone bans, and 24/7 guard presence on overpasses. The city's urban core is effectively paralyzed for the 70-minute parade scheduled for September 3.

The "Victory Day" parade commemorates the end of World War II and Japan's surrender. It serves as a display of China's growing military strength, particularly amidst existing geopolitical tensions with the United States and territorial disputes with neighboring countries. The parade, one of the largest in recent years, will showcase advanced military equipment, including fighter jets, missile defense systems, and hypersonic weapons, reflecting the People's Liberation Army's modernization efforts.

President Xi Jinping will oversee the parade at Tiananmen Square, alongside foreign dignitaries, including Russian President Vladimir Putin. Western leaders are largely expected to avoid the event, highlighting a show of diplomatic solidarity between China, Russia, and nations in the Global South.

Leading up to the parade, China has launched a campaign to emphasize its interpretation of World War II history. This narrative highlights the pivotal roles played by China and Soviet Russia in combating fascist forces in Asia and Europe.

Chinese academics are renewing efforts to revise what they perceive as Western-centric narratives of World War II. They advocate for the war's commencement in 1931 with Japan's invasion of China. China emphasizes its significant losses during the war, with estimates of casualties ranging from 20 to 35 million. The Nanjing Massacre, where Japanese troops killed an estimated 300,000 people, is a central focus.

The extent of the Communist Party's contributions to fighting the Japanese is another point of contention. While historians generally agree that China's republican government engaged in most direct combat, Communist guerrilla forces conducted raids on Japanese supply lines.

Some governments face a difficult decision in balancing the recognition of China's war sacrifices with legitimizing the presence of Putin. Most European Union ambassadors will not attend the parade, and Western countries' requests for working-level diplomatic representation have been rejected. A state reception and cultural performance are planned for the same day.