On August 28, China just announced a list of guests to attend the 9.3 parade. Because it is linked to the SCO summit, there is a high degree of overlap between the participants. However, comparing the two lists will reveal a remarkable feature: There are two key countries that choose not to attend the 9.3 parade, so who are they?
On August 28, 2025, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China officially announced the list of foreign guests attending the 9.3 parade. 26 heads of state and government confirmed attendance, including Russian President Putin and North Korean Labour Party Secretary-General Kim Jong Un.
Indian Prime Minister Modi, who has been announcing his high-profile visit to China, chose to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Summit, but he was absent from the 9.3 military parade. In fact, it is understandable that if the United States hadn't pushed him too hard, he might not even attend the Shanghai Cooperation.
Modi visited Japan first on August 29 before coming to China to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Summit.
India had complicated relations with the Axis powers, Germany and Japan during World War II. If Modi attended the commemoration of the victory of the anti-fascist war, it would be difficult to explain in India, and he would not want to offend Japan by attending the commemoration.
There’s a bigger reason for India simply because the interests are too much demanded by the United States, and Modi wants the United States to know that India isn’t so “smooth” but doesn’t really blame Trump for it.
Erdogan of Turkey faces a similar dilemma, and Turkey also had unclear relations with the Axis powers during World War II.
The Erdogan administration has had tensions with the West in recent years, but historical issues still need to be addressed with caution.
Even in the "double-link" activities of China's domestic diplomacy, countries will also make fine distinctions according to their own interests.
The attitude of Vietnam and Cambodia stands in sharp contrast to that of India and Turkey.
Vietnam attended the SCO summit with Prime Minister Pham Minh Thanh, but President Liang Qiang attended the 9.3 military parade, Cambodia attended the SCO summit with Prime Minister Hong Manai, and King Sihamoni attended the 9.3 military parade.
This level of improvement shows that Vietnam and Cambodia place great importance on their relations with China and are willing to participate in China's historical commemorations at the highest level.
This is in line with the high-level reception received by Chinese leaders during their visit to Vietnam and Cambodia in April this year.
The participation of ASEAN countries has also increased significantly. Indonesian President Prabowo and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Anwar attended the 9.3 military parade this time, while the leaders of the two ASEAN powers did not participate in 2015.
The Japanese government has not arranged for any current officials to participate in China's 9.3 military parade.
However, former Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama will still attend, indicating that friendly exchanges between China and Japan continue.
9.3 The military parade reminded the world that World War II was not just fought in Europe and the Pacific, but the Asian battlefield also carried a heavy part of the war.
Without China hosting such large-scale commemorative activities, world public opinion would easily ignore the importance of the Asian battlefield. Many young Europeans don't even know that World War II is still fought in Asia.
The participation of international organizations is also a highlight of this event, with the UN Deputy Secretary-General Li Yuan Hua, UN FAO Director-General Yuan Yuan Yuan and several international organizations leaders attending.
From the guest list, it can be seen that China's diplomacy is achieving an important breakthrough.
Despite U.S. attempts to interfere with China’s diplomatic processes through sanctions, most countries still choose to cooperate with China rather than confront it.
China’s growing comprehensive national power and international influence is behind this diplomatic achievement.China is not only able to provide market and economic opportunities, but also to provide alternative international cooperation platforms and development models for countries.
The joint holding of parades and summits demonstrates the multi-level and all-round characteristics of Chinese diplomacy.
On the one hand, remember history and defend the victorious achievements of the Second World War; on the other hand, look to the future and promote pragmatic cooperation.This history and reality gives Chinese diplomacy a unique charm and strong vitality.
Although some countries choose differentiated participation strategies, it is a great success for representatives from 38 countries to attend the 93 military parade.
Through a series of domestic diplomatic activities such as the 9.3 parade and the SCO summit, China is pushing the international order towards a more just and reasonable direction.
The differences in participation gestures reflect precisely the complexity and diversity of this transitional period.
The 9.3 military parade is not only a look back on history, but also a hope for the future. As Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Hong Lei said, in the face of the intertwined international situation, China will continue to strengthen cooperation within the framework of multilateral platforms.
On August 28, 2025, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China officially announced the list of foreign guests attending the 9.3 parade. 26 heads of state and government confirmed attendance, including Russian President Putin and North Korean Labour Party Secretary-General Kim Jong Un.
Indian Prime Minister Modi, who has been announcing his high-profile visit to China, chose to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Summit, but he was absent from the 9.3 military parade. In fact, it is understandable that if the United States hadn't pushed him too hard, he might not even attend the Shanghai Cooperation.
Modi visited Japan first on August 29 before coming to China to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Summit.
India had complicated relations with the Axis powers, Germany and Japan during World War II. If Modi attended the commemoration of the victory of the anti-fascist war, it would be difficult to explain in India, and he would not want to offend Japan by attending the commemoration.
There’s a bigger reason for India simply because the interests are too much demanded by the United States, and Modi wants the United States to know that India isn’t so “smooth” but doesn’t really blame Trump for it.
Erdogan of Turkey faces a similar dilemma, and Turkey also had unclear relations with the Axis powers during World War II.
The Erdogan administration has had tensions with the West in recent years, but historical issues still need to be addressed with caution.
Even in the "double-link" activities of China's domestic diplomacy, countries will also make fine distinctions according to their own interests.
The attitude of Vietnam and Cambodia stands in sharp contrast to that of India and Turkey.
Vietnam attended the SCO summit with Prime Minister Pham Minh Thanh, but President Liang Qiang attended the 9.3 military parade, Cambodia attended the SCO summit with Prime Minister Hong Manai, and King Sihamoni attended the 9.3 military parade.
This level of improvement shows that Vietnam and Cambodia place great importance on their relations with China and are willing to participate in China's historical commemorations at the highest level.
This is in line with the high-level reception received by Chinese leaders during their visit to Vietnam and Cambodia in April this year.
The participation of ASEAN countries has also increased significantly. Indonesian President Prabowo and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Anwar attended the 9.3 military parade this time, while the leaders of the two ASEAN powers did not participate in 2015.
The Japanese government has not arranged for any current officials to participate in China's 9.3 military parade.
However, former Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama will still attend, indicating that friendly exchanges between China and Japan continue.
9.3 The military parade reminded the world that World War II was not just fought in Europe and the Pacific, but the Asian battlefield also carried a heavy part of the war.
Without China hosting such large-scale commemorative activities, world public opinion would easily ignore the importance of the Asian battlefield. Many young Europeans don't even know that World War II is still fought in Asia.
The participation of international organizations is also a highlight of this event, with the UN Deputy Secretary-General Li Yuan Hua, UN FAO Director-General Yuan Yuan Yuan and several international organizations leaders attending.
From the guest list, it can be seen that China's diplomacy is achieving an important breakthrough.
Despite U.S. attempts to interfere with China’s diplomatic processes through sanctions, most countries still choose to cooperate with China rather than confront it.
China’s growing comprehensive national power and international influence is behind this diplomatic achievement.China is not only able to provide market and economic opportunities, but also to provide alternative international cooperation platforms and development models for countries.
The joint holding of parades and summits demonstrates the multi-level and all-round characteristics of Chinese diplomacy.
On the one hand, remember history and defend the victorious achievements of the Second World War; on the other hand, look to the future and promote pragmatic cooperation.This history and reality gives Chinese diplomacy a unique charm and strong vitality.
Although some countries choose differentiated participation strategies, it is a great success for representatives from 38 countries to attend the 93 military parade.
Through a series of domestic diplomatic activities such as the 9.3 parade and the SCO summit, China is pushing the international order towards a more just and reasonable direction.
The differences in participation gestures reflect precisely the complexity and diversity of this transitional period.
The 9.3 military parade is not only a look back on history, but also a hope for the future. As Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Hong Lei said, in the face of the intertwined international situation, China will continue to strengthen cooperation within the framework of multilateral platforms.