China crowned a busy week of grand diplomacy with a spectacular military parade on Wednesday, sending a message to the world that it has the determination and strength to champion a multipolar global order as geopolitical challenges rise.

Flanked byRussian President Vladimir Putin, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and leaders from 26 countries, President Xi Jinping gave a keynote speech on top of the Gate of Heavenly Peace in Beijing to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the war against Japan.

Dressed in a Mao suit, Xi then rode in an armoured sedan to inspect the People’s Liberation Army, which istwo years away from celebrating its centenary.

The state leaders, various foreign representatives and some 50,000 spectators watched on as the military staged one of its most impressive shows, foregrounding China’s growing might in an event featuring more than 10,000 soldiers, over 100 aircraft and hundreds of weapons.

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China unveils new weapons in massive Victory Day military parade

State news agency Xinhua said the formations were arranged in a wartime system to display the “PLA’s new system of services and arms after the military reforms under Xi’s leadership for the first time”.

In his keynote speech, Xi said the world was at a critical point with choices to make.