2025 China Victory Day Parade

The 2025 China Victory Day Parade (officially the Conference to Commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the Victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War) was a military parade held on Chang'an Avenue, Beijing, on 3 September 2025 to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second Sino-Japanese War and World War II.

Part 1:  China holds grand gathering to mark 80th anniversary of victory over Japanese aggression

Shotlist

Beijing, China - Sept 3, 2025 (CCTV)
1. Attendees in Tian'anmen Square for gathering to commemorate 80th anniversary of victory in Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and World Anti-Fascist War
2. Various of Chinese President Xi Jinping, international guests walking, ascending Tian'anmen Rostrum
3. War veterans
4. Various of Xi, foreign leaders shaking hands with war veterans
5. Audience in Tian'anmen Square; Tian'anmen Rostrum
6. Xi, international guests walking on Tian'anmen Rostrum
7. Xi waving to spectators
8. Various of attendees on Tian'anmen Rostrum，gathering in progress
9. Chinese Premier Li Qiang presiding over gathering
10. Various of gathering in progress, honor guards escorting Chinese national flag to flagpole amid gun salutes
11. Various of national flag-raising ceremony in progress; Xi, others singing national anthem
12. Various of gathering in progress, attendees applauding, military band playing
13. Various of Xi delivering speech, gathering in progress, leaders, officials at gathering; attendees; troops
14. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Xi Jinping, Chinese president, also general secretary of Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of Central Military Commission:
"The rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is unstoppable and humanity's cause of peace and development will prevail."
15. Various of attendees applauding
16. Various of honor guards marching to start review of troops
17. Xi's limousine driving to inspection site
18. Han Shengyan, commander-in-chief of military parade, saluting, reporting to Xi
UPSOUND (Chinese) Han Shengyan, commander-in-chief of military parade (ending with shots 19-20):
"Comrade president, the troops are ready. Please review."
19. Xi listening to Han's report
20. Troops
21. Xi ordering start of review
UPSOUND (Chinese) Xi Jinping, Chinese president, also general secretary of Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of Central Military Commission:
"Proceed."
UPSOUND (Chinese) Han Shengyan, commander-in-chief of military parade:
"Yes."
22. Various of Xi reviewing troops; troops returning Xi's greetings with salute, slogans; military equipment
UPSOUND (Chinese) Xi Jinping, Chinese president, also general secretary of Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of Central Military Commission:
"Greetings, comrades!"
UPSOUND (Chinese) formations:
"Greetings, Chairman!"
UPSOUND (Chinese) Xi Jinping, Chinese president, also general secretary of Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of Central Military Commission:
"Comrades, thanks for your hard work!"
UPSOUND (Chinese) formations:
"We serve the people!"
23. Various of Xi's reviewing troops, formations chanting slogans
UPSOUND (Chinese) formations:
"Follow the Party's command! Fight to win! Forge exemplary conduct!"
UPSOUND (Chinese) formations:
"Justice will prevail! Peace will prevail! The people will prevail!"
24. Various of Xi waving at formations; spectators
25. Xi's limousine returning to Tian'anmen Rostrum
26. Military band playing
27. Various of march-past starting with air echelon escorting flags of Communist Party of China, People's Republic of China, People's Liberation Army (PLA)
28. Various of air echelons forming numerical shapes of 8, 0, flying with banners reading "Justice will prevail", "Peace will prevail", "The people will prevail"
29. Various of foot formations marching
30. Xi clapping hands
31. Various of formations of PLA Guard of Honor, PLA's four services, PLA's four arms, Armed Police Force, military reserve force, militia, Chinese soldiers with UN peacekeeping experiences; attendees
32. Various of march-past in progress, banner formation
33. Various of joint armament formations including groups for land combat, maritime combat, air defense and anti-missile operations, information warfare, unmanned combat, logistics and equipment support, strategic strike
34. Various of aerial echelons flying over Tian'anmen Square
35. Various of J-10 aerobatic jets staging aerial display of 14 colored smoke trails
36. Various of gathering concluding with release of 80,000 doves, 80,000 balloons amid singing of "Ode to the Motherland"; attendees
37. Plate reading (Chinese): "Duanmen Gate"
38. Various of Xi, his wife Peng Liyuan posing for group photo with heads of foreign delegations, their spouses

Storyline

China held a grand gathering in Beijing's Tian'anmen Square on Wednesday to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.

President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, delivered a speech and oversaw a military parade which proceeded in two steps: a military review by Xi and a march-past of troops.

A total of 62 foreign heads of state and government, high-level representatives of relevant countries, heads of international organizations and former political dignitaries were present at the commemorative event, which was presided over by Premier Li Qiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee.

Before the beginning of the gathering, Xi ascended the Tian'anmen Rostrum and shook hands with war veterans attending the event.

Standing beside Xi on the Tian'anmen Rostrum were Russian President Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un, top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, along with more than 20 other foreign leaders.

Amid gun salutes, honor guards escorted the national flag from the Monument to the People's Heroes in the square center northward to the flagpole.

As the flag was raised, the entire assembly joined in singing the national anthem -- March of the Volunteers -- which was born during the wartime.

In his speech, Xi said the gathering was an occasion for people to jointly remember history, honor fallen heroes, cherish peace and create a better future.

The resistance war against Japanese aggression, an arduous and great war, marks China's first complete victory against foreign aggression in modern times, Xi said.

Noting that the victory was achieved under a national united front against Japanese aggression advocated by the CPC, Xi said that the Chinese people made a major contribution to the salvation of human civilization and the defense of world peace with immense sacrifice in the war, a significant part of the World Anti-Fascist War.

Xi called on Chinese people of all ethnic groups to stay united and work hard under the strong leadership of the CPC to build China into a strong country and advance national rejuvenation on all fronts through Chinese modernization.

"The rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is unstoppable and humanity's cause of peace and development will prevail," Xi said.

Standing in a Chinese-made Hongqi (Red Flag) limousine, Xi gave the command for the review to begin.

As the review vehicle moved slowly eastward, passing the fluttering flags of the Communist Party of China, the People's Republic of China, and the People's Liberation Army, Xi paid a salute to the flags.

Amid resounding military music, Xi inspected foot, banner and armament formations along the Chang'an Avenue.

As the review vehicle made its way back toward the Tian'anmen, the servicemen and women chanted with one voice: "Follow the Party! Fight to win! Forge exemplary conduct!" "Justice will prevail! Peace will prevail! The people will prevail!"

At the start of the march-past of the military parade, an air echelon flew over the Tian'anmen Square, escorting flags of the Party, the nation and the army.

Another air echelon, consisting of 26 helicopters, followed in a formation that formed huge numerical shapes of 8 and 0, symbolizing the 80th anniversary of the victory.

Three helicopters flew by with banners that respectively read "Justice prevails", "Peace prevails" and "The people prevail."

A total of 45 formations and echelons were involved in the grand parade.

These included the PLA Guard of Honor formation, formations of the PLA's four services of the Army, the Navy, the Air Force and the Rocket Force, and formations of the PLA's four arms of the Aerospace Force, the Cyberspace Force, the Information Support Force, and the Joint Logistics Support Force.

Those passing through the Tian'anmen Square also included the Armed Police Force formation, and those for military reserve force, militia, and Chinese soldiers with UN peacekeeping experiences.

The banner formation showcased 80 honorary banners of the hero units of the resistance war against Japanese aggression, bearing the glory from the past.

The joint armament formations included groups for land combat, maritime combat, air defense and anti-missile operations, information warfare, unmanned combat, logistics and equipment support and strategic strike.

The aerial echelons involving early-warning aircraft, fighter jets, aircraft carrier-based fighter jets, and strategic bombers flew over the Tian'anmen Square during the march-past, which ended with seven J-10 aerobatic jets staging an aerial display of 14 colored smoke trails, symbolizing the 14 years of the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the bright prospects of 1.4 billion Chinese people striving for national rejuvenation.

The grand commemorative gathering concluded with the release of 80,000 doves and 80,000 balloons into the sky.

Xi waved to spectators as the patriotic song "Ode to the Motherland" resonated.

Before the gathering, Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan greeted the heads of foreign delegations and their spouses, and posed for a group photo with them.

Part 2: Foot formations featuring PLA's new military structure pass through Tian'anmen Square in V-Day military parade

Shotlist

Beijing, China - Sept 3, 2025 (CCTV)
1. Formation of guard of honor holding flag of Communist Party of China, Chinese national flag, flag of People's Liberation Army (PLA) marching past Tian'anmen Square during military parade marking 80th anniversary of victory in Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and World Anti-Fascist War
2. Various of PLA Ground Force formation marching
3. Veterans saluting
4. Various of formations marching
5. Various of PLA Navy formation marching
6. Formations marching
7. Various of PLA Air Force formation marching
8. Formations marching
9. Various of PLA Rocket Force formation marching
10. Formations marching
11. Various of PLA Aerospace Force formation marching
12. Various of PLA Cyberspace Force formation marching
13. Formations marching
14. Various of PLA Information Support Force formation
15. Formations passing through Tian'anmen Square
16. Various of PLA Joint Logistics Support Force
17. Formations passing through Tian'anmen Square

Storyline

Foot formations featuring the People's Liberation Army (PLA)'s new military structure of services and arms marched through Beijing's Tian'anmen Square in a grand military parade on Wednesday to mark the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.

The foot formations are composed of a total of 13 formations including guard of honor, four services and four arms, armed police force, reserve service forces, militia, and peacekeepers.

The PLA's new structure of services and arms passed through Tian'anmen Square following the formation of guard of honor. It was the first time the new military structure to appear in a military parade.

The new structure, comprising four services of the Ground Force, the Navy, the Air Force, and the Rocket Force, as well as four arms of the Aerospace Force, the Cyberspace Force, the Information Support Force, and the Joint Logistics Support Force, was formally established in 2024 as part of President Xi Jinping's military reform plan.

Three of the four arms, the Aerospace Force, the Cyberspace Force and the Information Support Force, made their debut in the military parade through the Tian'anmen Square.

The 70-minute parade consists of two parts, a military review by President Xi and a march-past of troops.

A total of 45 formations and echelons joined the grand parade.

The parade is organized under a wartime command system, and involves thousands of troops, over 100 aircraft and hundreds of ground armaments.

Japan officially surrendered on Sept 2, 1945, by signing the Instrument of Surrender. China has designated Sept 3 as Victory Day.

The Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression was the first to break out and lasted the longest in the World Anti-Fascist War, resulting in over 35 million Chinese military and civilian casualties from 1931 to 1945.

 Part 3: China displays advanced anti-drone systems during V-Day military parade

Shotlist

Beijing, China - Recent (CCTV)
1. Various of anti-drone equipment
2. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Du Tao, leader, anti-drone formation (starting with shot 1/ending with shot 3):
"They are based on a modular and open architecture, organically integrating anti-drone missile-gun systems, high-energy laser weapons, high-power microwave weapons, and other equipment. By comprehensively employing combat methods such as 'missiles, guns, light, and waves', they are capable of both soft-kill jamming and hard-kill destruction. So, they are collectively known as the 'iron triangle'."
3. Various of vehicle-mounted anti-drone missile-gun system, high-energy laser weapon, high-power microwave weapon
4. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Li Chao, member, anti-drone formation (ending with shots 5-7):
"This is one of the 'iron triangle' systems -- the laser weapon -- which destroys targets by emitting high-energy beams. In combat, it produces no explosion, no flash, and no recoil. The beam travels at the speed of light, arriving instantly upon firing. It is a new type of weapon capable of virtually unlimited shots. As a grassroots platoon leader who rose from the ranks of enlisted soldiers, I've witnessed firsthand how our weapons have evolved over time in response to changing battlefield demands. I've come to deeply understand that technology plays an increasingly important role in modern warfare. The technological sophistication of our weapons, and the technical proficiency of our troops, constitute our core combat capability. We firmly believe that by relying on 'strengthening the military through science and technology and achieving victory through elite, well-trained forces', we will surely seize the initiative on future battlefields."
5. Various of vehicle-mounted high-energy laser weapon, reflective mirror on weapon
6. Soldier's armband with words reading "anti-drone formation"
7. Various of soldiers in training, anti-drone equipment
8. Various of vehicle-mounted combined missile-and-gun system equipped with six-barrel rotary cannon, surface-to-air missile launchers
9. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Lyu Wei, staff officer, anti-drone formation (starting with shot 8/ending with shot 10):
"This is a combined missile-and-gun system, featuring fast response, intense interception firepower, high shooting accuracy, and excellent mobility. It can operate independently as a single vehicle or be integrated into a networked information system for joint air defense operations. In the diversified real-combat exercises held in recent years, it has served as a 'sharp blade' in terminal-phase defense, effectively reducing the threats from low-altitude, slow-moving, and small-sized targets. It has performed outstandingly in mission after mission, allowing us to feel our steadily enhanced capability to win modern warfare clearly."
10. Various of details of vehicle-mounted combined missile-and-gun system
11. Various of vehicle-mounted high-power microwave weapons
12. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Song Boxuan, member, anti-drone formation (ending with shot 13):
"This is another component of our 'iron triangle' system -- the high-power microwave weapon. Mounted on an 8x8 high-mobility chassis, it is capable of inflicting widespread damage on individual drones or drone swarms."
13. Various of details of vehicle-mounted high-power microwave weapon
14. Various of anti-drone formation marching past Tian'anmen Square during military parade, spectators

Storyline

The advanced anti-drone systems on display during Wednesday's military parade in Beijing are a "sharp blade" in the terminal-phase air defense, as described by the parade soldiers, showcasing China's growing edge in modern warfare capabilities.

The grand parade, held at Beijing's Tian'anmen Square, marked the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.

Seventeen vehicles carrying five types of cutting-edge anti-drone systems rolled through the square as part of the march-past segment of the parade.

During the parade, the armament formations were organized into seven major groups -- the land combat group, maritime combat group, air defense and anti-missile operations group, information warfare group, unmanned combat group, logistics and equipment support group, and strategic strike group.

The anti-drone systems were featured in the final formation of the air defense and anti-missile operations group, highlighting their strategic importance in modern air defense.

A key highlight of the formation was the "iron triangle" -- an integrated system composed of anti-drone missile-gun platforms, high-energy laser weapons, and high-power microwave weapons.

"They are based on a modular and open architecture, organically integrating anti-drone missile-gun systems, high-energy laser weapons, high-power microwave weapons, and other equipment. By comprehensively employing combat methods such as 'missiles, guns, light, and waves', they are capable of both soft-kill jamming and hard-kill destruction. So, they are collectively known as the 'iron triangle'," said Du Tao, leader of the anti-drone formation.

The high-energy laser weapon on display has a design that resembles something out of science fiction. Featuring a large reflective mirror surface, the system harnesses concentrated beams of high-energy light to disable or destroy targets.

"This is one of the 'iron triangle' systems -- the laser weapon -- which destroys targets by emitting high-energy beams. In combat, it produces no explosion, no flash, and no recoil. The beam travels at the speed of light, arriving instantly upon firing. It is a new type of weapon capable of virtually unlimited shots," said Li Chao, a member of the anti-drone formation.

"As a grassroots platoon leader who rose from the ranks of enlisted soldiers, I've witnessed firsthand how our weapons have evolved over time in response to changing battlefield demands. I've come to deeply understand that technology plays an increasingly important role in modern warfare. The technological sophistication of our weapons and the technical proficiency of our troops constitute our core combat capability. We firmly believe that by relying on 'strengthening the military through science and technology and achieving victory through elite, well-trained forces', we will surely seize the initiative on future battlefields," Li also added.

Another key component of the "iron triangle" is the combined missile-and-gun system, a heavily armed platform with a six-barrel rotary cannon at its center and four surface-to-air missile launchers mounted on the sides.

"This is a combined missile-and-gun system, featuring fast response, intense interception firepower, high shooting accuracy, and excellent mobility. It can operate independently as a single vehicle or be integrated into a networked information system for joint air defense operations. In the diversified real-combat exercises held in recent years, it has served as a 'sharp blade' in terminal-phase defense, effectively reducing the threats from low-altitude, slow-moving, and small-sized targets. It has performed outstandingly in mission after mission, allowing us to feel our steadily enhanced capability to win modern warfare clearly," said Lyu Wei, staff officer of the anti-drone formation.

The tallest system in the formation is the high-power microwave weapon, mounted on an 8x8 high-mobility chassis. Its large panel glinted in the sunlight, symbolizing both technological prowess and strategic deterrence.

"This is another component of our 'iron triangle' system -- the high-power microwave weapon. Mounted on an 8x8 high-mobility chassis, it is capable of inflicting widespread damage on individual drones or drone swarms," said Song Boxuan, another member of the anti-drone formation.