A formidable show of force will take place in Beijing next week as North Korean leader Kim Jong Un unites with his Chinese and Russian counterparts. The three leaders will attend a military parade on Wednesday celebrating the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.
The event has been defined as much by its guests as by its absentees. Leaders from the U.S. and major Western European nations are staying away in protest of Vladimir Putin’s presence, turning the parade into an exclusive summit for nations challenging the West.
For Kim, this is his first trip to China since 2019, a visit aimed at solidifying his country’s most crucial alliance. With China accounting for 97% of its trade, North Korea’s stability depends on a strong relationship with Beijing.
The meeting of the three leaders is a calculated geopolitical display. It serves as a public confirmation of their deepening alignment, particularly after North Korea’s military support for Russia, and signals the consolidation of a powerful new Eastern bloc.