The real message of next week’s parade in Beijing will not be in the speeches, but in the marching formations and, most importantly, in the guest list. The attendance of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, his first trip abroad since 2019, speaks volumes about shifting global alliances.
The event on Wednesday commemorates the 80th anniversary of WWII’s end, but its subtext is entirely contemporary. Hosted by Xi Jinping and featuring Vladimir Putin, the parade has been boycotted by Western leaders, turning it into a rally for a different world order.
Kim’s presence is a calculated diplomatic move. It is designed to reinforce his relationship with China, the economic giant that keeps his country afloat with trade and aid.
Furthermore, his appearance alongside Putin is a public endorsement of their deepening military partnership. The parade is a stage, and the message being sent is one of defiance, solidarity, and the consolidation of a new power bloc.
