A united front at Beijing's massive military parade as Xi, Putin and Kim meet for first time
Image source, Getty ImagesThe watching world saw a significant display of diplomatic unity in Beijing today, as China's Xi Jinping, Russia's Vladimir Putin, and North Korea's Kim Jong Un met in public for the first time.
Alongside a vast military parade marking 80 years since the country's victory over Japan in World War Two, the meeting formed part of a day of statements for Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Crowds of over 50,000 in Tiananmen Square witnessed laser weapons, nuclear ballistic missiles, and even robotic wolves - a display that will now be heavily scrutinised by Western defence officials, our security correspondent writes.
All but two Western leaders chose not to attend the parade, while 26 heads of state joined. Xi inspected the waiting ranks of thousands of troops from the roof of his state vehicle, before warning the world must"never return to the law of the jungle, where the strong prey on the weak" in a speech.
After the parade, diplomacy continued with handshakes and hugs marking the end of Putin and Kim's two-and-a-half hour meeting.
Putin invited Kim to Russia after the pair discussed North Korea's contribution to Russia's war effort in Ukraine.
Before we end our live coverage, here's some wider reading:
- Our correspondents explain how China's display of strength sends a clear message to the absent Donald Trump
- And we dive deeper into the weapons on display and what they say about China's military strength
We'll leave you now with a few of the parade's most striking images.
Image source, Reuters