U.S. President Donald Trump accused China, Russia and North Korea of conspiring against America as Chinese leader Xi Jinping welcomed his counterparts of the two nations at a lavish military parade in Beijing.
Why It Matters
Xi greeted Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Beijing during an important show of unity and defiance toward what they see as a world illegitimately dominated by the United States.
Trump’s blunt message throws the confrontation between the two global blocs into sharp focus.
China is a major partner of both Russia and North Korea and has supported their economies that have been socked by Trump’s sanctions. The three allies denounce what they see as U.S. efforts to contain them and limit their military and economic development.
Their show of unity comes as many countries traditionally aligned with the U.S. are questioning their positions in the face of Trump’s aggressive policy on tariffs, his slashing of U.S. overseas aid and a generally more isolationist “America first” position on international issues.
What To Know
China organized a major military parade at Beijing’s Tiananmen Square to mark the 80th anniversary of Japan’s surrender and the official end of World War II in the Pacific.
The leaders of some 26 countries are attending but none from the U.S. or other major Western nations are expected.
As the parade got underway under sunny skies in Beijing, Trump took to his Truth Social platform to issue his own message of defiance and to ask if the U.S. effort to defeat Japan in World War II would be acknowledged.
“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!” Trump said.
“May President Xi and the wonderful people of China have a great and lasting day of celebration. Please give my warmest regards to Vladimir Putin, and Kim Jong Un, as you conspire against The United States of America.”
There was no immediate reaction from China’s foreign ministry to Trump’s comment.
In Beijing, Xi met leaders on a red carpet at the Tiananmen Gate.
Putin and Kim appeared to get particularly warm handshakes and Xi then walked with them, ahead of other leaders following behind, up red-carpeted steps to the Tiananmen Square rostrum to watch the parade. They paused to shake hands with five World War II veterans, some older than 100.
The parade, watched by thousands of people in Beijing and broadcast live, showcased ranks of marching soldiers, missiles, modern fighter jets and other military might as China seeks to wield greater influence on the global stage. Some of the military hardware is on public view for the first time.
“Humanity is again faced with a choice of peace or war, dialogue or confrontation, and win-win outcomes or zero-sum games,” Xi said in a speech before the parade started.
Xi also rode by the length of the formations along Beijing’s central Chang’an Avenue in a classic-style black limousine. He stood up through an opening in a roof with four microphones lined in front of him and greeted flanks of troops as he passed them and rows of missiles and military vehicles.
They shouted back mottos like “We serve the people,” in unison.
What People Are Saying
Xi, in his speech: “The Chinese people will stand firmly on the right side of history and on the side of human progress, adhere to the path of peaceful development, and join hands with the rest of the world to build a community with a shared future for humanity.”
What Happens Next
While Trump met Putin in Alaska last month for talks on Russia’s war in Ukraine, he has not met Xi since beginning his second term as U.S. president. While the White House has been optimistic about the prospects for a summit, there is no sign of an imminent get-together.
Reporting by the Associated Press contributed to this article.
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