Earlier this month, China hosted its first military parade since 2019—an exhibition President Xi Jinping claimed was intended to celebrate the nation’s role in “Victory Day” and the 80th anniversary of the conclusion of WWII.

But the Chinese Communist Party’s intentions for the display seemed to run deeper.

Last week’s parade—the largest in Chinese history—was no mere celebration of a glorified V-Day. It was a calculated display of power, coupling the CCP’s messaging with a bold show of modern military capabilities and growing ties to America’s adversaries.

Before the parade, Xi delivered a speech that left little room for misinterpretation:

“All servicemen should faithfully perform their sacred duties, speed up the building of a world-class military, and firmly safeguard China’s sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity.”

Xi continued to explicitly encourage all Chinese citizens, under the leadership of the CCP, to closely follow the tenets of Marxism, Leninism, Mao Zedong Thought, and Deng Xiaoping Theory. Invoking all four, Xi frames the military not only as the guarantor of territorial integrity and regime survival but also as the vehicle for China’s rise as a global power.

The signal to the West could not be clearer: Beijing will not relent, and its military is prepared for a fight.

Perhaps most telling is Xi’s reference to “territorial integrity,” a likely allusion to Taiwan. For decades, the CCP has tethered its own legitimacy to the island’s incorporation under Beijing’s control—a linkage that has become so entrenched that Xi’s regime may now view an invasion as essential to securing its legacy.

The parade showcased the military might and technological advancement required to secure such a legacy. And while some have emphasized vulnerabilities revealed, significant strides in China’s weapons development since the 2019 parade were evident and should not be denied.

Among the most impressive new capabilities were missile technology, unmanned systems, and cyberwarfare.

A series of hypersonic anti-ship missiles designated as the YJ-class were revealed for the first time, alongside the DF-61, an updated model of China’s nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missile—a weapon that can target any location on the globe.

The parade also revealed unmanned systems such as China’s new covert underwater attack drone, the AJX002, which is likely intended for deploying undersea mines and can be used for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions.

This drone, along with aerial attack drones, laser weapons, AI capabilities, walking robots, and other advanced military technologies, highlight China’s shift toward the latest warfighting platforms.

Beyond these hard capabilities, the CCP also demonstrated its cyber ambitions. Not only is China developing its cyber support force, but the CCP also utilized the parade to display its technological capacity, which is fueled by its reliance on civil-military fusion.

The parade highlighted the CCP’s Cyberspace Force, Information Support Force, and Military Aerospace Force, departments that use emerging technologies to adapt CCP capabilities to modern warfare.

These systems and platforms, both physical and cyber, represent far more than China’s celebration of “Victory Day.”

Nor can any discussion omit that, for the first time in history, Xi Jinping publicly stood side-by-side with Russian president Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

Standing next to America’s foremost adversaries in this public format signals to the world that this axis of powers intends to deepen its partnership—seeking greater power and influence while directly threatening the West’s security and prosperity.

In short, the parade displayed China’s intent to expand its military capabilities and position itself for success in future conflicts. In Xi’s words, the rejuvenation of China will prove unstoppable.

Ultimately, this intentional messaging, the unveiling of advanced offensive weaponry, and the unprecedented display of solidarity with America’s rivals send a stark warning. Washington must pay attention and maintain operational readiness in order to keep a competitive advantage over China.

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