Beyond the Parade: Decoding China’s Major Military Display Message to Rivals and Allies
China conducted one of its biggest military parades on Wednesday to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. September 3, 1951, was designated by the People’s Republic of China as “Victory over Japan Day.” This celebration marked only the second grand ceremony held for this occasion-the first took place during the 70th anniversary in 2015.
Why has china chosen to celebrate this event with such spectacle? Why now? And what message does it seek to convey through this display of power-and to whom? We explore some key questions behind this event.
Message to Japan
The ceremony in China goes by the name “The 80th Anniversary of China’s Victory in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and World anti-Fascist war,” underscoring an anti-Japanese tone. Beijing hopes that this show of strength will caution Japan and deter it from adopting a stance that frames Taiwan-related issues as “Japan’s problem.” chinese analysts argue that a primary aim is a final warning directed at Japan regarding retreat, especially concerning Taiwan.
Gao Zhikai, professor at Soochow University and deputy director at the Center for China and Globalization Management, suggested that China should urge participating countries to jointly issue a statement opposing any revision to Japan’s pacifist constitution. He emphasized using such diplomatic pressure on Tokyo specifically regarding Taiwan-related matters.
Message to Taiwan
Chinese analysts believe this parade was designed for visibility in Taiwan. Through this grand display, China intends to depict Taiwanese resistance as a minor and fragile effort futilely trying to halt an overwhelmingly powerful force. The power imbalance across the Taiwan Strait remains vast. From Beijing’s viewpoint, Taiwanese citizens are being misled by their politicians into becoming cannon fodder in a prolonged conflict against mainland China.
The war against Japanese aggression is also portrayed as part of shared history between Taiwan and mainland China. Chinese political propaganda highlights that during its colonial rule over Taiwan, Japan killed approximately 400,000 people there-criticizing Taiwanese who regard Japan favorably while treating mainland China as an adversary.
Message to the United States
Xie Yi, professor of international politics at Fudan University, stated: “The September 3 military parade will become a landmark event marking shifts in global power balance within today’s international system.” Seen as China’s first extensive global showcase demonstrating its unique strategic deterrence capabilities, scholars assert that Beijing aims for new strategic stability in Sino-US relations based firmly on Chinese strength.
This parade also serves as an expression of China’s military philosophy: “conquering enemies without fighting” or “ending wars through reliance on power.” it is indeed widely expected that following such displays America will exercise greater restraint-reducing provocative behavior toward China-and pursue more convergence with Chinese policies.
A Message for Both Domestic and International Audiences
The narrative surrounding this historic event merits attention. Numerous articles published across Chinese media stress ideological foundations underpinning Beijing’s movement. Such as, Guancha news website remarked: “Who defeated fascism? not Britain or America-as Western narratives claim-but rather sacrifice came chiefly from China and the Soviet Union.” Chinese analysts stress that fundamentally WWII represented socialist countries overturning imperialist powers-a fighting spirit still alive within modern-day China.
Several analysts noted how European countries and America have significantly downplayed or overlooked both human costs borne by China during WWII and critical battles fought on Chinese soil which were instrumental toward ultimate victory over Imperial Japan’s forces in the Pacific theater.
Ultimately through events like these ceremonies-which showcase China’s strength-beijing seeks not only domestic unity under its national flag but also consolidation around China’s role as main guardian shaping postwar world order stability. scholars highlight how as around 1900 global GDP share controlled by wealthy imperial powers dropped from roughly half (50%) down close (31%) due largely to rise among Global South nations economically weakening previous Western dominance; simultaneously occurring Beijing endeavors politically uniting much of [these] developing countries under its leadership-in particular evident through demonstrating alliance solidarity alongside Russia and North Korea at these events aiming to cement emerging multipolar global order positioning itself firmly among principal centers powering future geopolitics.
broadly speaking, simply put, they hope showing immense force helps foster friendships worldwide while sending clear signals urging hesitant actors time favors China. Domestically, such spectacles rally citizens behind national symbols despite ongoing economic challenges facing contry going forward.
A Delicate Stance From India
The case appears nuanced regarding India’s position here. While tensions between India & U.S.A intensify commercially, Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently undertook significant visits-participating actively at Shanghai Cooperation Organization summits-including bilateral meetings with President Xi Jinping & President Vladimir Putin. This reflects India’s strategic autonomy being fully exercised within evolving diplomatic complexities.*
