Defense Secretary publicly announced comments regarding confrontation with Russia
In a grand display of military might, China held a large military parade on September 3, 2025, at Tiananmen Square in Beijing to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. The event, which featured thousands of Chinese military personnel, over a hundred aircraft, and hundreds of pieces of ground equipment from the People's Liberation Army (PLA), drew the attendance of leaders from 26 foreign countries, including Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, who were invited by Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Amidst the parade, U.S. President Donald Trump took to social media to accuse China, North Korea, and Russia of planning a conspiracy against the U.S. However, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth clarified that these allegations are not indicative of a desire for conflict. Hegseth stated, "The U.S. does not seek conflict with the Russian Federation or the People's Republic of China."
In a surprising twist, Trump also asked Xi Jinping to convey his warmest regards to Putin and Kim Jong-un while a conspiracy against the U.S. is being prepared. This request, however, has not been met with any public response from the Chinese or Russian governments.
Interestingly, all the arsenal displayed at the parade was produced in the People's Republic of China and is already in service. The parade was a clear demonstration of China's military capabilities, but it is unclear whether any next grand parade is already scheduled or planned beyond this event.
Trump has, however, instructed the Department of Defense to prepare for the historic restoration of the U.S. armed forces, the revival of military spirit, and the restoration of deterrence. The exact nature of these preparations remains unclear, but they are not believed to be in response to the Chinese parade.
Despite the ongoing geopolitical tensions, Hegseth emphasised that the U.S. does not seek conflict with China, Russia, or others. The parade at Tiananmen Square serves as a reminder of the complex and evolving relationships between global powers, and the ongoing efforts to maintain peace and stability in the world.
