China boasts missiles, drones at military parade with Xi, Putin and Kim Jong Un

China displayed new weapons Wednesday at a military parade marking the 80th anniversary of World War II’s end. 

Beijing sought to display its growing military power as Chinese President Xi Jinping was accompanied by North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Highlights from China’s arms exhibition included submarine drones, hypersonic missiles and laser weapons. Additionally, China showed off its fighter jets and bombers during the 90-minute display.

“The Chinese people’s rejuvenation cannot be blocked, and the noble goal of the peaceful development of human civilization must triumph,” Xi said at the end of his speech, according to the Associated Press.

PUTIN, KIM JONG UN BEGIN BILATERAL TALKS IN BEIJING AFTER ATTENDING MASSIVE CHINESE MILITARY PARADE

SUBMARINE DRONE

For many, the word “drone” is synonymous with flying, but that’s not the case for the AJX002. The nuclear-capable unmanned vehicle that looks like a narrow submarine, with a propeller measuring up to 65 feet in length, could be used on surveillance and reconnaissance missions, according to the BBC. The outlet pointed out that the AJX002 wasn’t the only drone the Chinese were flaunting. Beijing also displayed its GJ-11 stealth attack drone.

A AJX002 underwater drone passes in the military parade to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Japan’s World War II surrender held in front of the Tiananmen Gate in Beijing, Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2025. (Ng Han Guan/AP Photo)

KIM JONG UN TAKES ‘MOVING FORTRESS’ BULLETPROOF TRAIN TO MEET PUTIN AND XI AT BEIJING MILITARY PARADE

HYPERSONIC MISSILES

Beijing also showed off its hypersonic anti-ship missiles that China has tested on mockups of U.S. aircraft carriers. According to Reuters, this included the Yinji-19, Yinji-17 and the Yinji-20, among others. The AP assesses that the hypersonic weapons are of particular concern to the U.S. Navy, which patrols the western Pacific from its 7th Fleet headquarters in Japan. 

A member of the People’s Liberation Army stands as YJ-19 hypersonic anti-ship missiles are displayed during a military parade in Beijing, China, Sept. 3, 2025. (Tingshu Wang/Reuters)

LASER WEAPONS

In addition to showing off its drones, China also…