China’s leader, Xi Jinping, seems keen on making an impression globally, especially with military displays. It’s interesting—he’s been donning that Mao Zedong-style suit since 2019, perhaps as a nod to the spirit of the 1949 revolution. Recently, he hosted a significant military parade, joined by Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. This marks the first joint meeting of these three countries’ leaders in 66 years.
There was even an awkward moment caught on a hot mic between Xi and Putin, which had people talking. They both seemed to express some discomfort, while Kim, young at 41, wore a smirk. It’s hard not to think about the underlying tensions in that trio.
Interestingly enough, as former President Trump criticizes China for its tactics against the U.S., Xi is apparently intending to showcase China’s strength. The parade featured a display of military prowess, with Xi presenting elements from the People’s Liberation Army, including a new version of the DF-26D missile—allegedly capable of targeting American ships or even Guam.
Facing this trio poses a unique challenge for the U.S. Trump mentioned he isn’t too concerned, referring to their schemes as trivial attempts against the U.S. military might. However, the military alliance between China and Russia is arguably a significant threat.
But there are cracks in Xi’s grand ambitions. After 13 years of efforts to bolster the Chinese military, the strategy heavily leans on missile stockpiling. Still, despite substantial investments, China falls short compared to U.S. military technology. The U.S. boasts advanced systems like the B-21 stealth bomber and the upcoming sixth-generation F-47 fighter jet, which have no real equivalents in China.
The U.S. is also developing innovative methods to counter Chinese missile threats. The U.S. Space Force’s new tracking capabilities utilize low-Earth orbit satellites for better monitoring. China might be investing heavily, but the parade highlighted multilateral technologies that could be relevant in a Taiwan scenario—laser-equipped trucks and underwater drones, for instance, while the U.S. continues to develop its advanced systems.
Xi seems to rely on allies like Putin to pose challenges to U.S. interests. The reception of North Korea shows China’s interest in Kim’s nuclear arsenal as a lever against the U.S. Earlier, Kim toured a missile facility before heading to Beijing, hinting at North Korea’s ongoing developments, which is somewhat unsettling.
Trump, in dealing with these challenges, claims that his administration is actively reinforcing U.S. strength against the China-Russia alliance. In a recent Oval Office announcement, he discussed a significant military operation that targeted a drug runner, likening this move to efforts against other terrorist threats.
Moreover, he declared that U.S. Space Command would be headquartered in Huntsville, Alabama—an essential step in maintaining dominance in space for both military and economic reasons. With commercial entities like Starlink and Amazon’s Kuiper putting pressure on U.S. military actions in space, the Space Force is seen as crucial for future defense tactics.
Despite grand parades, the economic backdrop shows weaknesses for these nations. China’s economic growth has slowed, while Russia is sustaining itself mainly through oil and defense. North Korea’s economy relies heavily on trade with China. As these leaders flaunt military might, they also face significant economic realities. It seems the U.S. remains ahead, particularly in areas like artificial intelligence, making collaboration imperative to curb China’s aspirations.
