It is very interesting to say that on September 3, 2025, Beijing Tiananmen will take a big event to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory in the war against Japan and the world anti-fascist war. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs just announced that the heads of 26 countries or government heads will participate, this series is not small, from Asia to Europe, then to Latin America and Africa, coverage is broad.
Speak about the background of this activity. 80 years ago, on September 2, 1945, Japan officially surrendered, marking the end of the Second World War and the victory of China’s anti-Japanese war. China celebrates this day every year, but this year is the 80th anniversary celebration, so large and invited so many foreign leaders. Assistant Secretary of Foreign Affairs Hong Li said in a press conference on August 28, that on the invitation of the Chinese side, these leaders would come to Beijing to attend the conference and parade. This is not the first time, 2015’s 70th anniversary also invited a lot of people, but this year’s list has new features, such as the Central Asian Five-country, several ASEAN countries have also come, and some representatives of Europe and Latin America. Why so many people come? On the one hand, it
The top two on the list are Russia's Mr. Putin and North Korea's Kim Jong-un, both of whom have a long history. Mr. Putin has dominated Russian politics since 2000, has been elected and re-elected, and Russia works closely with China on energy exports, such as natural gas pipelines. Mr. Putin's visit to Beijing is a continuation of years of strengthening ties between China and Russia, which also cooperate more in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
Kim Jong-un, after his 2011 succession, North Korea's nuclear development and missile tests made the international community tense, but relations with China remained stable, this year he came to Beijing was six years after re-visiting, the last time was in 2019. North Korean officials said that Kim Jong-un was invited to attend, stressing China's traditional friendship. On the Korean side, President Lee in Ming didn't come, sent Congress chairman Wu Yongzhen, who was a South Korean political veteran, and was elected as a member of parliament. Why did Lee not come to Beijing? South Korean media said that he just returned to the United States, balancing diplomacy, and didn't want to rely too much on one side. Wu Yongzhen represented South Korea, which allowed Kim Jong-un and Wu Yongzhen to
Then look at the five Central Asian countries: Kazakhstan’s Tokayev, Kyrgyzstan’s Zaparov, Tajikistan’s Rahmon, Turkmenistan’s Serdar Beld Mohammadov, Uzbekistan’s Mirziyev, all come. These five countries are rich in resources in the Central Asian region, oil, natural gas, hydroelectricity, China has invested a lot in these years. Just three months ago, June 16 to 18, 2025, the second China-Central Asia Summit was held in Astana, Kazakhstan, China went to participate, signed 55 agreements, involving energy, transport, security, culture and other fields.
The results of the summit include the Astana Declaration and bilateral documents, such as the expansion of China's oil pipeline, China-Ukraine transportation connectivity projects. These agreements are not talk but landings, such as high-speed railway construction, port development, and digital economic cooperation. Central Asia's five countries came to Beijing collectively, like the follow-up of the summit, showing China's stance in Central Asia was steadfast. This place was the back yard of the Soviet Union, and now became the stability zone of the Eurasian continent, the cooperation zone. The background of the leaders of the five countries varied, Tokayev came to power in 2019 to promote reforms; Mili Yozhiyev succeeded in 2016 with more open policy; Rahmon ruled, focused on border security; Zapar
The other pair of culprits were Aliyev of Azerbaijan and Pashinyan of Armenia. The two countries fought for the Nagorno-Karabakh region for more than 30 years, in 2020 and 2023, Azerbaijan took over and recovered the territory. Just a month ago, on August 8, 2025, they signed a peace agreement with the US Trump, where Washington, in the agreement, promised to respect territorial integrity, without force, also set up the “Trump International Road to Peace and Prosperity”, linked the native Azerbaijan and Nakhchivan Land, but respected the sovereignty of Armenia. The US media said that the agreement made China and Russia a loser, because the United States interfered with South Caucasus, developed a strategic corridor. Aliyev is the leader of the oil power, ruled since 2003; Pashinyan in 2018 through protest
In addition to these, five ASEAN countries came: Prabowo of Indonesia, Anwar Anwar of Malaysia, Nguyen Xuan Phuc of Vietnam, Thong Lun of Laos, and King Sihamoni of Cambodia. These countries have historically hated fascists and are now participating in the "Belt and Road Initiative", where high-speed rail, port, and trade zone projects benefit the economy. Indonesian President Prabowo came to power in 2024 to promote defense modernization; Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Anwar came to power in 2022, with a lot of anti-corruption; Vietnamese President Nguyen Xuan Phuc focused on South China Sea affairs, but has a lot of trade with China; Lao President Thong Lun handled debt; and Cambodian King Sihamoni played a symbolic role. Their presence shows that the cooperation between South East Asia and China has a foundation, not an empty promise.
In Europe, Lukashenko of Belarus, Vucic of Serbia and Caputova of Slovakia are here. Lukashenko has been in power since 1994, and his economy relies on Russia. There were protests in 2020 but it stabilized; Vucic came to power in 2017 to promote EU accession, but has good relations with China; Caputova was elected in 2019 and has many environmental protection policies. These countries come to symbolize China's influence in the hinterland of Eastern Europe, not limited to Asia. Latin America has Cuba's Diaz-Canel, who took over in 2018 and faced US sanctions, but cooperated with China in electricity and vaccines; Iran's Pezeshikyan will come to power in 2024 to promote diplomatic relaxation, and the nuclear issue is still under discussion; Mongolian Khurelsukh will come to power in 2021, with a lot of mining development; Pakistan's Zardari will come to power in 2024, posing great security challenges. These people came to Beijing not only to watch the military parade, but also to bring some historical names. The victory of World War II was not only the credit of the United States, Britain and France, but also the sacrifices of the Soviet Union, China and North Korea. This activity put these on the table.
The event also invited the descendants of international friends from 14 countries and regions, such as the descendants of veterans of the Flying Tigers, the descendants of Soviet advisers, and the children of French journalists. They did not go through the motions, but witnessed history. China has not forgotten to help its own people, but also to help those in need. This gathering is full of multi-polarization. China is not creating confrontation, but opening up channels. The list of leaders of the 26 countries is well distributed, including Asia, Africa, Latin America, and Europe. There are old friends such as Russia and North Korea, as well as new partners such as ASEAN in Central Asia. Compared with 10 years ago, this time, all Central Asian members arrived, ASEAN countries came, and Europe and Latin America were represented, indicating that China's diplomatic circle has expanded.
Why do you say it has meaning? Because it's not just about the number of people, but the logic behind it is mutually beneficial cooperation. Take Central Asia as an example, they came to Beijing collectively three months after the summit. The agreement was quickly implemented, and the energy and transportation projects allowed the locals to have food and work. The DPRK and the ROK are in the same frame, and Aya is on the same stage, which shows that the Beijing platform can allow enemies to temporarily put aside disputes. As for negative characters, such as Putin facing international sanctions, Kim Jong-un's economic difficulties, and Lukashenko's domestic pressure, they also come to expose their own problems, but the fact is that China's diplomacy does not pick people, and cooperation is based on
Overall, this event is a historical commemoration and diplomatic display. China has established itself in Central Asia, taken root in Southeast Asia, and has a voice in Europe and Latin America. In the future, cooperation will continue after these leaders return, such as the Central Asia Energy Project and the ASEAN Trade Area. The international landscape has changed, and the definition of China has also changed, from a passive participant to an active stabilizer. Anyway, this matter is down-to-earth, just like a neighbor gathering. When everyone comes to Beijing, they not only remember their hardships and sweet thoughts, but also talk about business and the future. Twenty-six countries gathered together, five Central Asian countries fell, and two pairs of enemies were on the same stage. This picture is exciting to think about. International relations are sometimes so realistic and interesting.