Chinese President Xi Jinping, North Korean Workers’ Party General Secretary Kim Jong Un, and Russian President Vladimir Putin gathered at Tiananmen Square in Beijing, China on Wednesday.
The three leaders ascended the Tiananmen Tower together, demonstrating a united front against the U.S. and its Western allies.
This historic meeting marks the first time the leaders of North Korea, China, and Russia have convened since their trilateral summit in Beijing during the Soviet era in September 1959 – a 66-year gap following the end of the Cold War.
For Kim, the event represents his first foray into multilateral diplomacy in over 6 years and 8 months since his last visit to China. For Putin, it signifies a triumphant return to the international stage after his isolation subsequent to Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Kim, dressed in a Western-style suit rather than his customary military attire, arrived at Tiananmen Square shortly after 8:00 a.m. He walked the red carpet to enter the venue commemorating the 80th Anniversary of China’s Victory in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. His daughter, Kim Ju Ae, who had arrived in Beijing the previous day (Tuesday) by private train, did not attend the ceremony.
Xi, Fostering Kim’s Debut in Multilateral Diplomacy, Moved in Concert with Him
In his role as host, Xi warmly greeted the arriving dignitaries alongside his wife, Peng Liyuan. When it was Kim’s turn, he approached Xi with a smile, grasping both of Xi’s hands in a display of camaraderie. Xi responded with a broad smile.
Kim was the penultimate leader to shake hands with Xi, with Putin being the last.
The leaders then posed for a commemorative photo: Kim stood to Xi’s left, next to Peng Liyuan, while Putin took his place on Xi’s right.
After the photo session, Xi, Putin, and Kim ascended the Tiananmen Tower together, with Kim on Xi’s left and Putin on his right, maintaining a congenial atmosphere throughout.
Xi: Nations Must Be Treated Equally to Prevent the Repetition of Tragedies
At 9:00 a.m., following an opening declaration by Premier Li Qiang and a gun salute, Xi delivered his speech from atop the Tiananmen Tower.
Xi declared that the Chinese people refuse to bow to hegemony or fear violence, asserting that their victory in the war against Japan exemplifies the indomitable spirit of the Chinese nation.
He warned that history teaches the necessity of treating all nations equally to avoid repeating past tragedies, suggesting that the world currently stands at a crossroads between peace and war, dialogue and confrontation – a thinly veiled reference to tensions with the U.S.
Xi stressed China’s commitment to peaceful development and its efforts to build a global community with a shared future. He emphasized the role of the People’s Liberation Army as a strategic pillar in safeguarding national sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity, while contributing to global peace.
Following his speech, a grand military parade proceeded along Chang’an Avenue in front of Tiananmen Square. Xi reviewed the troops from a Chinese-made Hongqi ceremonial vehicle.
Bloomberg noted a shift in Xi’s rhetoric, observing that his speech was significantly shorter than the one delivered at the 2015 parade, with fewer mentions of peace. In 2015, Xi mentioned peace 18 times in a speech of about 1,678 characters, while this time, he used the word only 6 times in a 945-character speech.
China’s Patriot-Equivalent HQ-29 Debuts; Event Concludes with Doves
The parade showcased China’s latest strategic weapons, seemingly aimed at countering U.S. military might.
These included the new Dongfeng (DF)-61 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), the Julang (JL)-3 submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM), the multiple-warhead-capable DF-5C ICBM, and advanced missile defense systems such as the Hongqi (HQ)-19 and HQ-29. Notably, the HQ-29, dubbed China’s answer to the Patriot missile system, is a next-generation surface-to-air missile with medium-range interception capabilities, reportedly able to intercept ballistic missiles and destroy satellites.
The military display concluded with a symbolic gesture of peace, as China released 80,000 doves into the sky. Bloomberg reported that these birds were borrowed from Beijing residents and were expected to return to their homes after the event.
Trump’s Sarcastic Remark: China’s Victory Thanks to U.S. Military Support and Blood Sacrifice
Former U.S. President Donald Trump offered a pointed response to the trilateral meeting.
On Tuesday, Trump took to his social media platform, Truth Social, to sarcastically wish Xi and the Chinese people a wonderful anniversary. He pointedly remarked that China’s victory celebration was only possible due to the tremendous support and blood sacrifices of the U.S. military.
Further, Trump asked Xi to convey his warm regards to Putin and Kim, whom he accused of conspiring together against the U.S.
Earlier, Trump dismissed concerns about the growing ties between North Korea, China, and Russia, confidently stating that he’s not worried at all, and China needs U.S.