China will practice the art of the parade next week, using a historical commemoration to showcase its new and strengthened alliances. The presence of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at the Wednesday event is a key element of this strategic display.
The parade marks the 80th anniversary of the end of WWII and will include Russian President Vladimir Putin, but not Western leaders. Their boycott over the Ukraine war has inadvertently provided China with a perfect stage to highlight its non-Western partnerships.
For Kim, this is his first foreign trip in years, a vital journey to his country’s economic lifeline. The visit is a public affirmation of the enduring bond between Pyongyang and Beijing.
The event is a masterclass in political symbolism. The image of Kim, Xi, and Putin together will be broadcast globally, signaling the emergence of a powerful new coalition ready to challenge the established world order.
