A ‘For sale to warlords’ sign may have been missing at the military parade in China – but Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un saw the big picture.

New nuclear intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM),underwater drones and laser weapons were some of the weapons unveiled a show of strength against the West.

The display in Beijing – executed to commemorate the end of World War II – served more as a sales pitch from China,which relies on arms trade.

Xi Jinping,Putin and Kim all grinned as the weapons were displayed during the commemoration of the end of World War II in Beijing.

The Russian and North Korean leaders – both pariahs in the West due to the invasion of Ukraine and the later’s nuclear ambitions – are being treated as guests of honour.

Each flanked Xi ahead of the lavish event on Tienanmen Square,laughing,joking and in general,showcasing their friendly relations.

This is the Chinese leader’s third parade on Tienanmen Square – equaling the total of his three immediate predecessors – so he has so far proven that he knows how to throw on a good spectacle for other authoritarians.

Of course,US president Donald Trump was nowhere in sight.

Russia’s president Vladimir Putin (L) speaks with China’s president Xi Jinping (C) and North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un (R) (Picture: AFP)

Instead,he raged on Truth Social: ‘The big question to be answered is whether or not President Xi of China will mention the massive amount of support and “blood” that The United States of America gave to China in order to help it to secure its FREEDOM from a very unfriendly foreign invader.

‘Many Americans died in China’s quest for Victory and Glory. I hope that they are rightfully Honored and Remembered for their Bravery and Sacrifice!’

Much of the weaponry and equipment in the parade was being shown to the public for the first time,according to Chinese media.

One of them is the DF-5C,a new variant of the Dongfeng-5 nuclear ICBM,which is carrying as many as 12 warheads.

The DF-5C intercontinental ballistic missiles (Picture: AFP)

It is a two-stage missile that uses liquid fuel,which means its trajectory is propelled by two consecutive rocket stages,each with its own engine.

The missile is capable of striking targets across the globe,including the Western Europe and mainland America.

Hypersonic anti-ship missiles – which China has previously tested against mock-ups of US aircraft carriers – were also paraded.

Those included the Yingji-19,Yingji-17 and Yingji-20.

YJ-17 missiles pass during the procession (Picture: AP)

Multiple other cruise missiles and hypersonic missiles – some equipped with ‘all-weather combat capabilities’ – were shown off as well.

The parade featured drones that can operate underwater and in the air,as well as unmanned helicopters designed to be launched from ships.

The AJX002 underwater drone was a standout.

With a long,black tube-shaped craft,it looks like a narrow submarine with a rear propeller.

The YJ-20 hypersonic anti-ship missiles are displayed during the parade (Picture: Reuters)

The sea-based systems included submarines,surface vessels and a mine-laying system.

Another anticipated weapon was also unveiled – the LY-1 laser,which was mounted on top of an eight-wheeler HZ-155 armoured truck.

As Metro reported yesterday,this is billed to be the ‘world’s most powerful laser defence system’.

Marching in the parade were the traditional People’s Liberation Army (PLA) units from the navy and army,but also new ones like the cyberspace unit.

The maritime operations group displays laser weapons (Picture: Reuters)

The new unit is in charge of cybersecurity defense measures,according to the official Xinhua news agency,and also participated in live-fire drills.

Another debut was the information support force,created in 2024 to build network information systems to support military combat readiness.

This is the first major military parade in the People’s Republic since 2019 on the 70th anniversary of the founding of communist China.

Yet,for many in the West,the defining image of the grand show of military might is not the parade of nuclear missiles,stealth fighter jets,or drones.

The air defence weaponry formation (Picture: Xinhua/Shutterstock)

It is the sight of Xi,Putin and Kim standing side by side,in an unprecedented show of solidarity against the West.

Designed to project China’s military might and diplomatic clout,the parade comes as US president Donald Trump’s tariffs and volatile policymaking strain its relations with allies and rivals alike.

Xi told a crowd of more than 50,000 spectators at Tienanmen Square: ‘Today,mankind is faced with the choice of peace or war,dialogue or confrontation,win-win or zero-sum.