HONG KONG – To commemorate the 80th anniversary of World War II’s conclusion, Chinese President Xi Jinping was joined by leaders from 26 nations and other foreign delegates at a significant military parade in Beijing on Wednesday. This event symbolized a show of unity among countries that maintain friendly ties with China.

Prominent figures like Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, who seldom travel abroad, stood beside Xi as they proceeded to the viewing platform overlooking Tiananmen Square. The parade showcased military equipment and disciplined troops, with many seeing this gathering as a gesture of solidarity against the United States.

The event notably lacked the presence of leaders from the U.S., Western Europe, Japan, and India, while nations like South Korea and Singapore sent lower-ranking officials. Xi’s selection of guests highlighted China’s expanding influence over the Global South and other emerging markets.

Here’s a glance at Xi’s guests:

US adversaries

Alongside Putin and Kim, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian participated, all of whom are perceived as adversaries by the U.S. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, a steadfast ally of Russia, was also in attendance, seen walking beside Kim after a session of group photos with other dignitaries.

Xi engaged in lively conversations with Putin and Kim as they made their way up to the viewing area. After the group photos, Xi greeted Kim with a warm “Long time, no see” via an interpreter as they strolled on the red carpet.

The sight of these leaders, with Xi, appeared to observers as a challenge to a U.S.-led international order.

Leaders from Asia, Africa and the Americas

Asia accounted for the majority of national leaders at the event.

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, initially set to skip the event due to domestic protests, eventually attended. He participated alongside regional leaders from Southeast Asia, including Cambodia’s King Norodom Sihamoni, Vietnamese President Luong Cuong, and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. The gathering also saw the presence of Myanmar’s military leader, Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, and Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith.

Also attending from South Asia were Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Nepali Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli, and Maldives’ President Mohamed Muizzu. From Central Asia came Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Tajikistan’s President Emomali Rahmon, Kyrgyzstan’s President Sadyr Japarov, Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Turkmenistan’s President Serdar Berdimuhamedow. Mongolia’s President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa also came.

Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa and the Republic of Congo’s President Denis Sassou Nguesso were also on the guest list.

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel was the only leader from the Americas to attend.

Other guests were Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev and Armenia’s Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.

The guest list had heavy overlap with the annual summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization days earlier, but there were some notable departures before the parade, including representatives from India and Turkey.

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted warm words about meetings with Xi and Putin on social media platform X. He posted a picture of himself and Putin traveling together with him, saying that “conversations with him are always insightful,” and wrote that he had a “fruitful meeting” with Xi.

Most European leaders stayed away

Other than Putin and Lukashenko, few European leaders attended the parade. Serbia sent Russia-friendly President Aleksandar Vucic and Slovakia sent Prime Minister Robert Fico.

But former Romanian prime ministers Adrian Năstase and Viorica Dăncilă took the group picture with current leaders.

Other former foreign leaders were also on the guest list, including former New Zealand prime ministers Helen Clark and John Key, as well as Daniel Andrews, the former premier of the Australian state of Victoria.

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Associated Press researcher Shihuan Chen in Beijing contributed to this report.