BEIJING: In a significant diplomatic maneuver underscoring a recalibration of global alliances, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will attend a military parade in Beijing next week alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin.

This marks the first time in six years that Kim will visit China, and his first appearance at a multilateral international event since assuming power.

This monumental gathering is a profound diplomatic victory for Chinese President Xi Jinping, who is hosting the event to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.

The simultaneous presence of Kim and Putin delineates a strategic alignment of global powers and signals Beijing’s growing influence over both nations amidst their escalating tensions with the West.

The highly anticipated parade will serve as a powerful exhibition of China’s military might. The People’s Liberation Army will showcase its latest weaponry and a newly restructured military force, offering a comprehensive look at the nation’s advanced defense capabilities.

The spectacle is expected to feature tens of thousands of troops marching through Tiananmen Square. The list of attendees reflects the current geopolitical landscape.

While key Western leaders are conspicuously absent due to their opposition to Russia’s military actions, the parade has attracted 26 other heads of state, including those from Southeast Asia and countries like Belarus and Iran.

This demonstrates China’s concerted effort to cultivate new partnerships and its rising influence in a shifting global order.