China's parade of new weaponry sends message of deterrence
China showcased its biggest military parade to date, rolling out long-range nuclear missiles, hypersonic weapons, drones, and air-defense lasers in a display meant to project strength and deter rivals.
The show of force was aimed at multiple audiences—the US and its allies, regional powers like India and Russia, and potential arms buyers—underscoring Beijing’s growing military reach and its resolve over issues such as Taiwan, according to Reuters.
Analysts noted, however, that while the parade highlighted China’s ambitions, some of the advanced systems may still be in testing rather than fully deployed.
Russia says it will help China overtake the United States on nuclear power
Russia has pledged to support China in its push to surpass the United States as the world’s largest producer of nuclear power, Rosatom chief Alexei Likhachev said on state television after talks in Beijing, according to Reuters.
US currently leads with nearly 97 gigawatts (GW) of nuclear capacity, while China operates about 53.2 GW but is rapidly expanding its reactor network. Likhachev said Beijing aims to exceed 100 GW to overtake Washington, and Moscow is already contributing to that goal.
Russia has helped construct four nuclear reactors in China and is building four more. Likhachev noted China’s growing demand for uranium and nuclear fuel, adding it will likely rely on Russian technology to develop advanced closed fuel cycle reactors, Reuters reported.
North Korea's Kim and South Korean parliament speaker shake hands, speaker's office says
South Korea’s National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik briefly shook hands with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Wednesday during a military parade in Beijing marking Japan’s World War Two surrender, Reuters reported.
Woo, representing Seoul at the event, has joined President Lee Jae Myung in urging renewed dialogue between the two Koreas, though Pyongyang has rejected recent overtures.
During his trip, Woo also met Russian President Vladimir Putin, who asked if he should convey a message to Kim. Woo replied that fostering peace on the Korean Peninsula remained vital despite strained relations. According to Reuters, several South Korean lawmakers accompanied him on the visit.
Xi hails 'unstoppable China' as new weapons displayed in military parade
President Xi Jinping oversaw China’s largest military parade in Tiananmen Square, marking the 80th anniversary of Japan’s defeat in World War II. Before a crowd of more than 50,000, Xi warned the world stands at a crossroads of “peace or war,” urging dialogue over confrontation.
The parade showcased China’s expanding military power, featuring hypersonic missiles, advanced drones, fighter jets and other cutting-edge weapons. The event underscored Beijing’s drive to project strength on the global stage, according to Reuters.
Xi was joined by Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un, highlighting closer ties among leaders who share growing tensions with the West. Analysts said the gathering was as much a geopolitical statement as a display of force.
North Korea's Kim arrives in Beijing with daughter to attend massive military parade
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un arrived in Beijing on Tuesday, accompanied by his daughter, Kim Ju Ae, to attend China’s “Victory Day” military parade marking the 80th anniversary of Japan’s World War Two surrender. This is the first time a North Korean leader has attended a Chinese parade since 1959, BBC reported.
Kim traveled by his heavily guarded armored train, a tradition started by his grandfather, with South Korean intelligence suggesting his daughter is his “most likely” successor. He was greeted by senior Chinese officials, including Foreign Minister Wang Yi, in what North Korean media described as a “warm atmosphere.”
The visit highlights Kim’s rare diplomatic engagement abroad, following limited recent contacts with world leaders, mainly Russia’s Vladimir Putin, and underscores Pyongyang’s strategic ties with Beijing amid regional and global tensions, according to BBC.
Xi hosts ‘old friend’ Putin, Kim ahead of military parade in challenge to West
Chinese President Xi Jinping hosted Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Beijing, signaling closer ties among powers at odds with the West. The rare joint appearance underscores growing solidarity among nations increasingly isolated by Western powers, Reuters reported.
Kim, arriving on his armored train, was received by senior Chinese officials in what marked his most prominent diplomatic outing in years. The three leaders are expected to appear together at China’s largest military parade, commemorating the 80th anniversary of Japan’s defeat in World War II.
According to Reuters, the gathering highlights deepening political and military cooperation between Beijing, Moscow, and Pyongyang, and is seen as a direct challenge to the Western-led order.
Russia to boost gas supplies to China, signs deal for new pipeline
Russia has agreed to boost gas supplies to China, strengthening their energy partnership as Moscow pivots away from Europe, Reuters reported.
Gazprom will raise annual deliveries through the Power of Siberia pipeline from 38 to 44bn cubic meters. In a parallel move, Russia, China, and Mongolia signed a binding pact to build the Power of Siberia 2 pipeline, which could add another 50 bcm of gas each year.
According to Reuters, the deal highlights deepening Moscow-Beijing cooperation under Western sanctions and Europe’s reduced reliance on Russian gas.
Putin thanks xi, his 'dear friend', for warm welcome to China
Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed gratitude to Chinese President Xi Jinping for the warm reception during his visit to China, Reuters reported.
In a meeting, Putin referred to Xi as his “dear friend” and praised the historically high level of strategic cooperation between Russia and China. He highlighted the depth of bilateral ties, describing them as exceptionally close.
Putin emphasized that their frequent and open communication reflects the strong relationship between the two nations, signaling continued collaboration on global and regional issues.
The visit underscores Russia and China’s growing alignment on political, economic, and security matters amid shifting international dynamics, according to Reuters.
Xi to flaunt China's vision of new global order at military parade
Chinese President Xi Jinping will host a massive military parade on September 3 in Beijing, marking 80 years since Japan’s World War II surrender. The event, highlighting China’s growing military capabilities, aims to project the nation’s vision for a new global order, according to Reuters
Over 20 foreign leaders, including Russia’s Vladimir Putin and North Korea’s Kim Jong Un, are expected, underscoring China’s ties with authoritarian states. The parade will showcase advanced weaponry, including hypersonic missiles and drones, while promoting China’s own historical narrative of the war.
While critics, particularly from Taiwan, decry the $5bn cost as a display of military assertiveness, the event signals China’s ambition to challenge US influence and assert itself in global politics, Reuters reported.
Brazil's Lula likely to host virtual Brics meet on Sept 8 to discuss Trump's tariff moves
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is set to host a virtual BRICS summit on September 8 to discuss the impact of US tariffs on Brazilian goods, including a 50 percent tariff on key products such as orange juice, while some items like airplanes are exempt. The meeting aims to foster a coordinated response among BRICS nations without framing it as an anti-US forum, Firstpost reported.
The summit coincides with broader diplomatic engagements involving China’s Xi Jinping, India’s Narendra Modi, and Russia’s Vladimir Putin, reflecting shifting global trade and geopolitical dynamics. The outcomes could influence future economic policies and strengthen cooperation among BRICS countries.
Trump claims India has offered to reduce tariffs on US goods to zero
President Donald Trump has criticised India for what he called a “one-sided” trade relationship, accusing New Delhi of exporting heavily to the United States while importing little in return.
Trump claimed India recently offered to eliminate tariffs on US goods but said the move came “too late,” arguing it should have happened years earlier, Al Jazeera reported.
His comments follow Washington’s decision to impose tariffs of up to 50 percent on Indian imports, alongside criticism of India’s continued purchases of Russian oil and weapons.
India has not officially responded, though Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal previously insisted the country “will neither bow down nor appear weak” in trade negotiations, according to Al Jazeera.
North Korea's Kim leaves for China in armoured train
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has traveled to Beijing to attend China’s “Victory Day” military parade, marking his first multilateral international meeting. He will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and other world leaders, BBC reported.
Kim departed Pyongyang Monday evening aboard his heavily armored train, a slow-moving convoy with around 90 carriages, including conference rooms, bedrooms, and a restaurant. The journey, expected to take about 24 hours, follows a family tradition started by his grandfather and continued by his father.
According to BBC, this is the first time a North Korean leader has attended a Chinese military parade since 1959. Kim rarely travels abroad, with previous international trips mainly limited to meetings with Putin and a 2019 visit to Beijing.
PM Oli, Russian President Putin hold meeting
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a meeting on Monday.
PM Oli is currently in Tianjin, China to participate in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Plus Summit.
During the meeting, the two leaders discussed a wide range of issues concerning bilateral relations between the two countries.
They also deliberated on further strengthening cooperation through exchange of high-level visits and enhancing cooperation across various sectors including economics, education, culture, information technology and investment.
China, Russia join Iran in rejecting European move to restore sanctions on Tehran
China and Russia have joined Iran in opposing a European push to reinstate UN sanctions on Tehran. The United Kingdom, France, and Germany invoked the “snapback mechanism” from the 2015 nuclear deal, citing Iran’s breaches of the agreement. In response, the foreign ministers of China, Russia, and Iran condemned the move as “legally and procedurally flawed” and urged a diplomatic solution, Reuters reported.
The 2015 nuclear deal lifted sanctions in exchange for limits on Iran’s nuclear program, but after the US withdrawal in 2018, Iran began exceeding uranium enrichment limits. The agreement is set to expire in October 2025, and the European snapback effort aims to restore sanctions unless blocked by the UN Security Council.
China, Russia, and Iran stress that Europe’s action undermines diplomacy and violate the spirit of the agreement, according to Reuters.
Trump defends U-turn on Chinese student visas after Maga backlash
President Donald Trump has defended issuing 600,000 visas to Chinese students, calling a ban “insulting” and saying it benefits smaller US universities. He highlighted his good relationship with China and the economic benefits the students bring, saying the decision is simply “the right thing to do”, BBC reported.
The move drew criticism from some allies, who argued it limits opportunities for American students and raised security concerns. The White House confirmed the visas will be issued over the next two years, in line with previous levels, as trade talks with China continue.
Taiwan flags huge cost of China's military parade in growing war of words
Taiwan has condemned China’s planned military parade in Beijing on September 3, marking the 80th anniversary of Japan’s World War II surrender. Taiwanese officials estimate the event will cost over 36bn Yuan ($5bn), roughly 2 percent of China’s annual defense budget, calling it excessive amid domestic economic challenges, Reuters reported.
The parade also stirs historical disputes. China credits the Communist Party with resisting Japan, while Taiwan emphasizes the Republic of China’s role. Beijing has labeled Taiwan’s denial as “blasphemy,” intensifying tensions.
Set to showcase advanced weaponry under President Xi Jinping, the parade highlights China’s growing military power and underscores ongoing friction with Taipei over history and national identity, according to Reuters.
