BEIJING (AP) — Some of the weapons and military units in China’s major parade were being displayed for the first time.

The parade held on a major avenue in Beijing on Wednesday commemorated the 80th anniversary of the conclusion of World War II. Troops paraded in front of President Xi Jinping, who serves as the leader of the armed forces, given his role as chairman of the Central Military Commission.

New units and equipment

Taking part in the parade were traditional People’s Liberation Army contingents from the navy and army, along with newer units such as the cyberspace division. This new unit, tasked with managing cybersecurity defense operations, is actively engaged in live-fire drills, as reported by the official Xinhua news agency.

Another debut was the information support force, created in 2024 to build network information systems to support military combat readiness.

A significant portion of the armaments and gear featured in the parade was being presented to the public for the first time, according to Chinese military representatives. This display included hypersonic missiles engineered to target ships at sea, which poses a notable concern for the U.S. Navy’s 7th Fleet operating in the western Pacific from Japan.

The parade also showcased underwater drones like the AJX002, which resembles a sleek submarine equipped with a rear propeller, and a novel intercontinental ballistic missile, the DF-61, capable of transporting nuclear warheads over extensive distances.

Additional exhibits included land, sea, and air-based strategic weaponry, sophisticated precision warfare tools, and drones. Overhead, warplanes and helicopters performed in synchronized formations.

It’s the first major military parade in China since 2019 on the 70th anniversary of the founding of communist China.

The goal of the parade was to foster national pride among China’s citizens and reassure them of the nation’s capability to defend itself from any potential threats. However, China’s expanding military prowess is also a source of apprehension for its Asian neighbors and the United States.

Russia and North Korea headline guest list

U.S. and Western European heads of state are staying away, as are the leaders of Japan, India and South Korea.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un made a rare foreign trip to attend. He was joined by Russian President Vladimir Putin and the president of Iran, among others.

In all, about two dozen foreign leaders attended, including several from Southeast Asia and a few from Africa and South Asia. Indonesia President Prabowo Subianto arrived early Wednesday after being delayed by protests in his country over lawmakers’ perks.

Parade mainly for invited guests

The event was highly choreographed and tightly controlled. It wasn’t the kind of parade where crowds line the streets to watch.

Barriers were set up to keep the public one block away and commercial buildings along the parade route were emptied and closed until the parade ended. The subway system running along Chang’An Avenue was shut Tuesday night into Wednesday morning.

For most people, the only way to watch was on television or a livestream.