China’s Show of Power and the World Order: An Analysis in the Context of the Beijing Ceremony

# Prem Sagar Poudel

The grand ‘Victory Day’ ceremony held in Tiananmen Square in Beijing this morning, September 3, 2025, was not just an occasion for historical remembrance, it was a clear political message, where China presented itself as a ‘global leader’, not just a regional power. The parade, held to mark the 80th anniversary of Japan’s surrender in World War II, featured military displays, speeches, and the presence of participating nations, China’s changing role and the emerging global balance of power were clearly reflected everywhere.

The presence of Nepalese Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli at the ceremony added a new dimension. Nepal, known as a small Himalayan nation, is now more clearly integrating into China’s regional initiatives and multilateral strategies. Oli’s participation was not just a diplomatic formality but a strategic signal, the result of Nepal’s interest in witnessing the rewriting of the world order in 2025.

The Victory Day celebrations showcased China’s military, diplomatic, and ideological restructuring. The parade showcased hypersonic missiles, stealth fighter jets, underwater drones, and cutting-edge cyber warfare systems. Which clearly shows that in the military competition, China is now standing slightly ahead of the US in terms of ‘high-tech’ war capabilities, rather than parallel to it.

But the ceremony was not just a military display, it was a profound strategic message. The words “protecting peace” in President Xi Jinping’s speech actually seem to be a direct response to Western military alliances. President Xi has openly stated that “violation of the one-China principle is unacceptable” regarding Taiwan, signaling a challenge to the US and its allies.

Similarly, the joint presence of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Russian President Vladimir Putin appears to have formalized the emergence of an ‘alternative power pole’. The multipolar system, which was previously formed with the involvement of countries such as the US-Europe-Japan-Australia, is now emerging in a new form through the cooperation of countries including China, Russia, North Korea, Iran, and Belarus.

Looking at Western reactions, the US President Donald Trump has called the ceremony an “anti-American conspiracy” on social media. According to him, the cooperation between Xi, Putin and Kim is “an open challenge that directly questions America’s global leadership capacity.” Whether this response is political or diplomatic, it cannot deny the fact that China is now transcending its traditional boundaries, strategically, ideologically, and diplomatically.

Nepalese Prime Minister Oli’s participation appears to have further strengthened China’s influence in Nepal and South Asia. Oli himself is known as a pro-China leader and an early supporter of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). His presence at this event indicates that Nepal is no longer just a friendly country but a potential ally on China’s strategic diplomatic map.

Meanwhile, the presence of other nations such as Iran, Belarus, Myanmar, and Pakistan at the ceremony was also notable. All of these countries are in some form of tension with the US or Europe. The presence of this group is a sign that an alternative international front is being built under Chinese leadership, which presents a different global perspective than Western norms.

The most important aspect in this context is the ideological message presented by China. “World peace” and “sovereignty” support the reconstruction of the balance of power. During the Cold War, the world was divided into two poles led by the United States and the Soviet Union. In the current situation, China is re-establishing itself in that vacant space. The difference is that power is now distributed across all spheres, not just military, but economic, technological, diplomatic, and ideological.

The US and its allies are still strong in this ‘new world order’. However, it now appears that there is a clear weakness in their monopoly position. China’s presence, especially in areas such as Taiwan, the South China Sea, Africa, and Latin America, has attracted the world’s attention.

The parade held in Beijing has now made it clear that China is in the process of building a new world order, using its history, military capabilities, ideological vision, and diplomatic coordination. And its impact is not limited to the US-China relationship; like other small nations, Nepal is now being redefined in this changing geopolitical landscape.

The Victory Day celebration was a symbolic message, ‘We won, we can win again.’ This victory will no longer be achieved solely on the battlefield, but also in diplomatic contexts, economic strategies, and ideological competition. China is now asserting its claim to the balance of power by talking about peace, and this is becoming a profound reality for the world.

Therefore, the Beijing ceremony is not only a historical memory, but also a historical turning point – where the world order is gradually shifting from the West to the East, especially under the leadership of China. The question now is whether this change will lead to world peace, equality, and stability, or to a new chapter of power struggle, division, and competition?

The truth is, we stand at the beginning of a new global chapter. China has moved from the background to the foreground. How the rest of the world responds will become the next chapter in history.

(The author is a senior journalist, political analyst, president of the Nepal-China Mutual Cooperation Society, and an expert on international affairs.)