China Commemorates 80th Anniversary of WWII End with Military Parade and Historical Film

China is set to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II with a significant military parade in Beijing on September 3, 2025. The event will feature President Xi Jinping overseeing troops and delivering a speech, with approximately two dozen foreign leaders in attendance, including Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. This marks the first joint appearance of these three leaders at such an event.

The parade will showcase China's latest military advancements, including hypersonic missiles and drones, underscoring the nation's growing military capabilities. The event is also seen as an opportunity for the Chinese Communist Party to reinforce its narrative of national resilience and to assert its role in the contemporary global order.

In conjunction with the parade, the Chinese film "Dead to Rights" has been released, depicting the Nanjing Massacre of 1937. The film follows civilians who uncover and document atrocities committed by Imperial Japanese forces. Since its release in July, the movie has grossed over $400 million, reflecting significant public interest.

The commemoration has sparked discussions about historical narratives. During World War II, the primary resistance against Japanese occupation was led by the Nationalist Party under Chiang Kai-shek. However, the current Chinese leadership emphasizes the Communist Party's role in the resistance, aiming to solidify its legitimacy both domestically and internationally.

In Taiwan, President Lai Ching-te has used the anniversary to highlight the importance of unity against aggression, referencing both historical events and current regional tensions. Lai emphasized that unity is key to resisting aggression and highlighted modern threats from China, which has increased its military pressure around Taiwan in recent years.

As China prepares for the parade, the interplay of military display, cinematic portrayal, and political discourse underscores the ongoing complexities in interpreting and commemorating World War II's legacy in the region.