Xi, Putin, and Kim gather at Tiananmen Gate for a grand military parade
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China Parade Chinese President Xi Jinping, right, Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un are seen on a giant screen with other world leaders as they meet party elders ahead of a military parade to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Japan's World War II surrender held in Beijing, Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Andy Wong) (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) (Andy Wong/AP)
China Parade Spectators react ahead of a military parade to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Japan's World War II surrender held in front of Tiananmen Gate in Beijing, Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan) (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) (Ng Han Guan/AP)
China Parade Spectators and military personnel gather ahead of a military parade to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Japan's World War II surrender held in front of Tiananmen Gate in Beijing, Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan) (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) (Ng Han Guan/AP)
BEIJING (AP) — Chinese leader Xi Jinping and invited guests including Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un have arrived at the historic Tiananmen Gate to watch a military parade Wednesday in Beijing.
Xi shook hands individually with guests on a red carpet before they climbed the stairs up to the viewing platform on the gate that looks out on Tiananmen Square.
Putin and Kim flanked Xi as they made their way to the platform. Other guests applauded politely as they walked to their seats. They paused to shake hands with five World War II veterans, some older than 100.
The parade, which marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, will showcase missiles, modern fighter jets and other military might as China seeks to wield greater influence on the global stage.
Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
