As Chinese President Xi Jinping prepares to host North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Beijing, the world is watching a significant display of China's diplomatic influence.
The military parade on September 3, 2025, marking 80 years since Japan's surrender in World War II, will double as a platform for Xi to assert Beijing's geopolitical weight.
This high-profile gathering, which includes other leaders from nations like Indonesia and Iran, underscores China's growing role as a global power broker amid strained U.S. relations under President Trump.
Kim Jong Un’s attendance at the parade, his first such visit since 1959, signals a renewed warmth in China-North Korea relations, despite Kim’s recent alignment with Putin.
China remains critical to North Korea, supplying nearly 90% of its food imports, offering Kim both economic support and international legitimacy.
Similarly, Xi’s close ties with Putin, reinforced through their "no limits" partnership signed in 2022, position China as a key player in Russia’s economy, especially as Western sanctions isolate Moscow.
"Without them, we would not have been able to make a single missile," a Russian source told Reuters, highlighting Beijing’s vital role in sustaining Russia’s military and economy.
The summit comes as Russia-China trade, which hit a record $245 billion in 2024, faces an 8.1% decline in 2025, driven by reduced Russian oil exports and Chinese vehicle imports.
Both nations are exploring agriculture and energy projects, like the Power of Siberia-2 pipeline, to reverse this trend, though negotiations remain stalled.
For Xi, hosting Kim and Putin offers leverage in potential talks with Trump, who has expressed interest in meeting Kim again and addressing issues like tariffs and the Ukraine conflict.
"China does not behave like an ally," a Russian source noted according to Reuters, reflecting tensions despite public displays of unity.
Xi’s ability to navigate these relationships could shape global diplomacy, potentially facilitating deals on trade or even a Ukraine ceasefire.