What Is China Trying to Tell the World?

Five bold messages hidden in Beijing’s mega-parade — and the gossip they’ve stirred

It was less a parade, more a stage play:
standing tall, Vladimir Putin grinning, Kim Jong-un waddling alongside — the trio of strongmen that set the world’s WhatsApp groups buzzing. Beijing called it a commemoration of victory against Japan. The West saw it as a warning shot. The gossip? Somewhere in between.

1. “Look who’s at my party”

Xi rolled out his biggest red carpet yet. Putin on one side, Kim on the other — the ultimate anti-Western family photo. Belarus, Iran, Indonesia, Myanmar all sent their top brass too. The missing chairs? US, Europe, Japan, South Korea, India. Translation: “We don’t need you — we have our own club now.”

2. “The ghost of Hu Jintao”

Chinese gossip mills always scan the viewing stand for absentees. Former leader Hu Jintao was missing again, still remembered for that awkward escort out of the 2022 Party Congress. Zhu Rongji too. Both old, both frail — but still, every no-show sparks whispers: “Fallen out of favour? Erased from the family album?”

3. Hardware, hardware, hardware

From stealth jets to submarine-launched ICBMs, China flexed its kit. Analysts called out new counter-drone systems (Ukraine lessons, clearly) and electronic warfare jets. The gossip twist: how much of it is real? As one defence wonk quipped, “In parades, half the weapons are for show, half for war — the trick is guessing which half.”

4. The Taiwan drumbeat

Xi spoke of “rejuvenation” — code for “Taiwan will be ours.” Taiwan’s Lai Ching-te clapped back: “We cherish peace, not the barrel of a gun.” But in Beijing, the parade looked like rehearsal for the big act. The gossip line? Every missile rolled through Tiananmen was a message to Taipei: “Tick-tock.”

5. The Trump cameo

Almost on cue, Donald Trump couldn’t resist. On Truth Social he fired off: “Warmest regards to Putin and Kim as you conspire against the USA.” Cue eye-rolling in Washington, but in Beijing, aides must have smiled: free PR from America’s loudest megaphone.

The backstage whisper

What was China really saying? Not just “we’re strong” — everyone knew that. The gossip take is bolder:

To Washington: “Your sanctions don’t scare us.”

To Asia: “We can rewrite the security map.”

To the Global South: “Our tent is bigger — and you’re invited.”

To its own people: “Rally behind Xi, he’s the man who won’t blink.”