China’s 2025 Parade

Is U.S. Hegemony at Risk?

A Parade That Spoke Louder Than Words

On September 3rd, 2025, Beijing became the stage for one of the most striking spectacles of modern geopolitics. The occasion was the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, but the meaning went far beyond remembrance. With over 12,000 troops, dozens of cutting-edge weapons systems, and a meticulously choreographed march through Tiananmen Square, China showcased not just its military might but its claim to a central role in shaping the future world order.

The presence of Vladimir Putin, Kim Jong Un, and Narendra Modi elevated the parade into a statement of alliance - whether loose, strategic, or symbolic. Yet what caught global attention more than the pageantry was the absence of the United States. The world’s most powerful military sat this one out, leaving many to wonder: Was this a glimpse of a new global axis forming without U.S. leadership? Could China and its allies actually dethrone the United States as the dominant global power?

This article delves into these questions, exploring the parade as both spectacle and symbol, and analyzing whether it represents the beginning of an irreversible power shift.

1. The Power of Pageantry: China’s Military Showcase

Military parades are never just parades. They are statements. They communicate confidence to the domestic audience, deterrence to rivals, and solidarity to allies. China’s 2025 parade was crafted to do all three simultaneously.

The lineup of weapons was staggering: hypersonic missiles capable of evading U.S. defense systems, stealth fighter jets roaring in formation, nuclear-capable submarines, drone swarms, and cyberwarfare units marching alongside traditional infantry. Each segment was meant to convey that China is no longer catching up - it is setting the pace.

The choreography was equally symbolic. Xi Jinping stood firm as Supreme Commander, saluted by rows of soldiers whose boots struck the pavement in perfect synchrony. Behind him, the invited leaders of Russia, North Korea, and India sat as honored guests. The visual was unmistakable: a new bloc of power on display.

2. Who Came, Who Stayed Away

The attendance list spoke volumes.

• Vladimir Putin arrived as a sign of deepening Sino-Russian cooperation. Both leaders are bound by shared opposition to U.S.-led alliances and sanctions.
• Kim Jong Un’s presence reinforced the image of authoritarian solidarity, as North Korea remains a crucial piece in the chessboard of East Asia.
• Narendra Modi’s attendance was the most surprising. India has historically walked a fine line between U.S. partnership and strategic autonomy. Modi’s presence was a signal that New Delhi is not bound exclusively to Washington.

And then there was the empty seat: the United States. For decades, U.S. presidents or high-ranking officials attended or acknowledged such global events. This time, silence. It was a calculated absence, meant to demonstrate disapproval - but it also allowed China to dominate the stage uncontested.

3. Symbolism vs. Substance: A Realignment in Progress?

At first glance, this might look like a new anti-U.S. alliance emerging. A bloc consisting of China, Russia, North Korea, and potentially India would, at least on paper, represent enormous population size, military strength, and economic power.

Yet alliances are not forged in a single parade. Each of these nations has its own calculations:

• Russia seeks survival against Western sanctions and isolation.
• North Korea seeks legitimacy and aid.
• India seeks strategic autonomy and leverage between East and West.
• China seeks to position itself as the natural center of global leadership.

The parade was a moment of symbolic convergence, but whether it evolves into a durable alliance remains uncertain. What is undeniable, however, is the growing willingness of these powers to stand together publicly - something unthinkable two decades ago.

4. The U.S. “Throne”: What’s Really at Stake?

To assess whether China and its allies threaten the U.S. “throne,” we need to examine three dimensions: military, economic, and ideological power.

4.1 Military Power

The U.S. still possesses unmatched global military reach: eleven aircraft carriers, hundreds of overseas bases, and alliances stretching from NATO to AUKUS to the Quad. China’s strength is formidable regionally, especially in the Indo-Pacific, but it lacks the global logistics and projection capabilities that give the U.S. its dominance.

That said, technological advances - hypersonic missiles, cyberwarfare, and AI-driven systems - are leveling the playing field. In specific scenarios such as Taiwan or the South China Sea, China could pose a direct challenge to U.S. forces.

4.2 Economic Power

China’s economy, though facing headwinds, is the world’s second-largest. Its manufacturing capacity, control of supply chains, and investments in Belt and Road initiatives give it leverage across Asia, Africa, and Europe. Russia contributes energy resources, while India contributes demographic weight and a growing tech economy.

The U.S. remains dominant in finance, innovation, and global reserve currency status. But a coordinated challenge - say, a coalition trading in yuan or alternative currencies - could erode that advantage over time.

4.3 Ideological Power

The U.S. projects itself as a defender of democracy, human rights, and free markets. China, in contrast, promotes stability, sovereignty, and non-interference. For nations weary of Western intervention, the Chinese model appears attractive. The presence of leaders like Kim Jong Un only reinforced the message: this is an alternative world order where democracy is optional.

5. Could China and Its Allies Defeat the U.S.?

The question of “defeat” depends on the battlefield. Militarily, a direct confrontation remains unlikely, as nuclear deterrence prevents outright war. Economically, however, the contest is already underway.

• In Asia, China is drawing nations into its orbit through trade and infrastructure.
• In Africa and Latin America, Chinese investments outpace U.S. presence.
• In technology, competition over AI, 5G, and space exploration is intensifying.

Defeat does not need to mean invasion. It could mean a gradual erosion of U.S. influence until Washington finds itself sidelined in the very regions it once dominated.

6. India: The Wild Card

Perhaps the most intriguing element of the parade was India’s presence. Historically aligned with both the U.S. and Russia, India is charting its own course. Modi’s attendance suggested that New Delhi sees value in balancing relations with Beijing - even as border tensions simmer.

If India were to lean fully into China’s orbit, the balance of power would tilt significantly. Together, China and India represent over a third of humanity. Economically, their combined markets would dwarf even the U.S. Yet distrust between the two remains high, making a full alliance improbable.

7. The U.S. Response: Silence or Strategy?

By abstaining from the parade, the U.S. sought to signal disapproval of China’s growing authoritarian bloc. But silence can be read as weakness. Critics argue that Washington ceded the symbolic stage to Beijing, leaving allies uncertain of U.S. resolve.

Others interpret it as strategic restraint - refusing to dignify the parade with U.S. attention. Yet in a world driven by optics, absence can speak louder than words.

8. A World in Transition

What we witnessed in Beijing was more than a commemoration. It was a declaration: China is ready to lead, with allies at its side, and without U.S. permission.

Whether this marks the decline of U.S. hegemony or merely a moment of spectacle remains to be seen. The U.S. still commands unmatched military alliances, financial dominance, and soft power. But the cracks are visible. The throne may not be overturned yet - but it is no longer unchallenged.

Pageantry or Prophecy?

The 2025 Victory Parade was a milestone in world politics. For China, it was an affirmation of its rise. For Russia and North Korea, it was a show of solidarity. For India, it was a balancing act. For the U.S., it was a wake-up call.

The central question - can China and its allies dethrone the U.S.? - remains unanswered. But one truth is clear: the unipolar moment of U.S. dominance is fading. Multipolarity is here. The parade was not just a display of power - it was a warning that the world order is shifting, and America’s throne is no longer unshakable.