When Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un stand side by side at Beijing’s upcoming Victory Parade, the world will be watching closely. What might appear to be a ceremonial commemoration of World War II has transformed into a geopolitical statement,one that points toward a reshaping of global power.

For China, the parade is more than a remembrance of history. It is a demonstration of strength and legitimacy. Xi Jinping has tied his vision of “national rejuvenation” to the idea that China deserves recognition as a central world power. Hosting Putin and Kim allows him to project Beijing as the hub of an alternative international order, one not bound by Western dominance. For Putin, the optics are equally valuable. Isolated from the West after the war in Ukraine and weighed down by sanctions, Moscow needs to show it still matters. By standing with Xi, Putin can present Russia as a co-architect of a multipolar world, not a diminished state. Even if the partnership is uneven, with China the stronger side, it provides him recognition and leverage. Kim Jong Un, meanwhile, gains something priceless, legitimacy. His presence alongside Putin and Xi places North Korea at the table of global politics. For Beijing and Moscow, including him underscores their willingness to embrace states ostracized by the West.

At its core, the parade reflects the shared conviction of Beijing and Moscow that the unipolar era dominated by the United States is fading. China’s rapid rise, Russia’s persistence as a military power, and the willingness of countries in Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America to engage with both suggest the world is becoming more fragmented and multipolar. For Xi, this shift is essential. His global projects, from the Belt and Road Initiative to new financial institutions, are built on the idea of creating alternatives to Western-led systems. For Putin, it is about survival and the assertion that Russia cannot be excluded from shaping the future, no matter how much pressure comes from Washington or Brussels.

Military parades in China are not just about showcasing weapons. They are carefully choreographed political theater, aimed at both domestic and international audiences. Domestically, they reinforce the Communist Party’s authority as guardian of the nation. Internationally, they project China’s growing military confidence and diplomatic reach. Inviting Putin and Kim gives the event global weight. It sends a message that Beijing can convene leaders who openly challenge the Western order, offering a stage that Washington cannot control.

Yet beneath the unity, there are limits. Russia does not want to be seen as a junior partner to China, and China does not want to be dragged into Russia’s conflicts. Their partnership is pragmatic, born of necessity rather than deep trust. Economic asymmetry is stark. China’s economy is ten times larger than Russia’s, and Moscow has become increasingly dependent on Beijing for energy sales and trade. Still, for now, the relationship works. China gains secure energy supplies and a strategic partner against U.S. pressure. Russia gains economic survival and diplomatic cover. Together, they project enough strength to unsettle Western capitals.

For the United States and its allies, the Beijing parade is a reminder that attempts to isolate Russia and contain China have not prevented them from drawing closer. Instead, they may have encouraged it. The sight of Putin and Xi together will resonate in regions where Western influence is already contested. It does not mean a formal alliance is forming, nor that their interests always align. But it does highlight the reality that a multipolar world is no longer a distant idea, it is taking shape in visible ways.

The Victory Parade in Beijing will be remembered less for the weapons on display than for the leaders who share the stage. Xi and Putin, joined by Kim, are signaling their intent to challenge the global order built after the Cold War. Whether their vision of multipolarity will lead to stability or deeper conflict is unclear. But the message is unmistakable, Beijing has become a stage where the foundations of a new order are being laid, and the world must pay attention.