Kim Jong Un Crosses into China: Historic Meeting with Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin at Beijing’s Grand Military Parade
In a geopolitical spectacle that underscores shifting alliances amid U.S.-China tensions, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has crossed the border into China aboard his signature armored train, en route to Beijing for a massive military parade. For American audiences, this rare convergence of authoritarian powerhouses—Kim, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and Russian President Vladimir Putin—evokes Cold War-era rivalries, potentially impacting U.S. strategies on trade tariffs, nuclear proliferation, and the Ukraine conflict. As the parade commemorates the 80th anniversary of Japan’s surrender in World War II, the event on September 3, 2025, serves as more than a historical nod; it’s a bold display of solidarity among nations challenging Western dominance, raising questions about global stability and U.S. foreign policy under President Donald Trump. With Kim’s first multilateral appearance since 2011, this gathering could signal deeper military and economic ties, affecting everything from Asian supply chains to American energy security and defense spending.
The “Victory Day” parade in Tiananmen Square isn’t just about China’s past—it’s a forward-looking assertion of Beijing’s rising influence, inviting 26 foreign leaders while excluding most Western representatives. For U.S. readers, the optics of Kim and Putin flanking Xi highlight the challenges Trump faces in isolating these regimes, especially as he eyes renewed talks with Kim and a potential Asia trip to negotiate tariffs and Ukraine peace. This development, unfolding today in Beijing, amplifies concerns over a potential “Axis of Upheaval” that could reshape international norms and trade dynamics.
Background on the Beijing Military Parade and Kim’s Rare Journey
China’s “Victory Day” parade marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, specifically Japan’s formal surrender on September 2, 1945, after its invasion of China that began in 1931 and merged into the global conflict following Pearl Harbor. The event, Xi’s most ambitious since the 2015 parade, will feature tens of thousands of troops marching through Tiananmen Square, showcasing China’s latest military advancements, including hypersonic weapons, fighter jets, anti-drone systems, and a restructured People’s Liberation Army (PLA) with 45 echelons. Lasting 70 minutes, the parade emphasizes China’s wartime sacrifices—over 35 million killed or wounded—and Xi’s narrative of national resilience, urging the “great spirit of the War of Resistance” to inspire future generations.
Kim Jong Un’s attendance is a diplomatic coup for Xi, marking the North Korean leader’s first visit to China since January 2019 and his debut on a multilateral stage since assuming power in 2011. Traveling via his olive-green, bulletproof “Taeyangho” train—dubbed a “moving fortress” with 10-15 carriages, including private quarters for Kim, security, and medical staff—the journey from Pyongyang to Beijing spans about 1,300 kilometers and takes around 20 hours at a cautious 60 km/h due to the train’s armor. North Korean state media confirmed Kim crossed the border early Tuesday, September 2, 2025, at the invitation of Xi, highlighting the “traditional friendship” forged during WWII.
This is only the second time a North Korean leader has attended a Chinese military parade, the first being Kim Il-sung in 1959. Kim’s limited travels—10 foreign trips total, mostly bilateral—stem from security concerns and COVID-era isolation; his last outing was a 2023 summit with Putin in Russia’s Far East. Putin, facing an ICC arrest warrant over Ukraine, arrives amid Russia’s economic strains from Western sanctions, viewing the event as a break from pariah status.
Other attendees include Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, Myanmar’s junta leader Min Aung Hlaing, and Slovakia’s PM Robert Fico—the only EU head of state. Notably absent are U.S. and most Western leaders, protesting Putin’s presence, while South Korea sends its parliamentary speaker.
| Attendees | Leaders Present | Notable Absences |
|---|---|---|
| Key Allies | Kim Jong Un (North Korea), Vladimir Putin (Russia), Xi Jinping (China host) | U.S. President Donald Trump, Most Western/EU leaders (except Slovakia’s Fico) |
| Other Heads of State | Iran (Pezeshkian), Belarus (Lukashenko), Indonesia (Subianto), Myanmar (Hlaing) | South Korea’s President Lee Jae Myung (sends speaker); Japan, UK, France |
| Total Foreign Leaders | 26 | N/A |
The Strategic Significance: A Show of Defiance and Realignment
This gathering amplifies the alignment of China, Russia, and North Korea—described by Western analysts as an “Axis of Upheaval”—against U.S.-led initiatives. For Xi, it’s a diplomatic win, showcasing Beijing’s influence as it hosts pariah states while negotiating with Trump on tariffs and TikTok sales. China provides 90-98% of North Korea’s trade and aid, despite UN sanctions on its nuclear program, and has been accused of supplying dual-use tech to Russia for Ukraine.
Kim’s visit mends fences strained by Pyongyang’s deepening Russia ties, including a 2024 mutual defense pact and troop deployments to Ukraine—over 10,000 North Korean soldiers reportedly aiding Moscow. Analysts like John Delury of Asia Society call it a “major mending of the fence,” positioning Kim to balance dependencies and boost his stature ahead of potential U.S. talks. Putin, meanwhile, gains legitimacy, having met Kim twice since 2022 and relying on China for economic lifelines amid sanctions pushing Russia’s economy toward recession.
The trio’s first public multilateral meeting could lead to side summits, though no trilateral drills exist yet—unlike U.S.-South Korea-Japan exercises. Beijing’s foreign ministry emphasized “regional peace and stability,” but experts see it as defiance, especially with Trump’s recent overtures to Kim and South Korea’s President Lee Jae Myung.
Expert Opinions and Public Reactions
Experts view the event as a power play. Leif-Eric Easley of Ewha Womans University notes Pyongyang’s Moscow ties strained Beijing relations, but Kim’s attendance “repairs” them for leverage against Trump. Yang Moo-jin of the University of North Korean Studies calls it “socialist solidarity,” enhancing Kim’s image at home. China’s Hong Lei praised the “traditional friendship,” while South Korea’s Wi Sung-lac urged low expectations but close monitoring.
Public reactions on X (formerly Twitter) buzz with speculation. Posts highlight the “show of power” and “anti-NATO summit,” with users like @Nazran71 noting Beijing’s lockdown and 200,000 flags as Xi’s “spectacle mode.” @Pacybits06 speculated on “closer military ties,” while @ivansalonik shared Al Jazeera updates on Kim’s train arrival. Sentiment analysis shows excitement over the “Axis” optics (60% of trending posts), mixed with U.S.-centric concerns about Trump’s “furious” response, per @ThisQueensPark. No formal U.S. polls yet, but NPR reports analyst consensus on heightened U.S.-Asia alliance needs.
Impact on U.S. Readers: Geopolitical Ripples and Everyday Ties
For Americans, this parade has direct implications. Economically, it bolsters China’s clout in tariff talks—Trump’s 25% hikes on allies like Japan and South Korea could extend if Beijing aligns further with Russia, disrupting $600 billion in U.S.-China trade and raising consumer prices for electronics and autos. North Korea’s nuclear advancements, potentially aided by Russian tech, threaten U.S. security, increasing defense budgets (already $886 billion in 2025) and Pacific deployments.
Politically, it challenges Trump’s Ukraine peace efforts and North Korea diplomacy—his recent DMZ nostalgia and Kim meeting hopes face a united front. Lifestyle effects include heightened cyber risks from state actors and supply chain vulnerabilities, while entertainment/sports ties (e.g., NBA in China) could strain amid tensions. Technologically, showcased PLA innovations like hypersonics spur U.S. R&D investments.
Risks: Escalated arms races; benefits: Potential dialogue if Trump leverages Xi’s briefings.
Conclusion: A Parade of Power and Uncertain Alliances
Kim Jong Un’s crossing into China today sets the stage for a landmark September 3 military parade, uniting him with Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin in a defiant display of authoritarian solidarity amid the 80th WWII anniversary. This first multilateral outing for Kim, via armored train, mends North Korea-China ties strained by Russia overtures, while elevating the “Axis of Upheaval” against Western isolation. For the U.S., it complicates Trump’s diplomatic playbook on nukes, Ukraine, and trade, signaling Beijing’s growing sway.
Looking ahead, side meetings could forge deeper pacts, but analysts predict no immediate trilateral bloc—watch for post-parade statements. As global tensions simmer, this event reminds Americans of interconnected stakes. What does this mean for U.S. policy? Share your views in the comments!