A large military parade held in early September 2025 in central Beijing provided a formidable showcase of China’s rapidly advancing military capabilities. Under the leadership of Xi Jinping, the event was a clear declaration of the nation’s technological prowess and its growing aspirations as a global power. The well-organized procession showcased a range of cutting-edge armaments, including new long-range nuclear missiles, a fleet of autonomous drones, and directed-energy weapons, signaling a strategic shift towards a new generation of warfare.
New Frontiers in Strategic Deterrence
A significant highlight of the parade was the public debut of the DF-61, a new intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) that marks a powerful addition to the PLA Rocket Force’s arsenal. The introduction of this weapon underscores China’s commitment to modernizing its strategic deterrent. Also featured prominently were missiles equipped with hypersonic glide vehicles (HGVs). These systems are engineered to challenge conventional missile defense networks by traveling at incredible speeds and along unpredictable flight paths, demonstrating a focus on creating asymmetric advantages in their offensive capabilities.
The Dawn of Intelligentized Warfare
The parade heavily emphasized unmanned systems, reflecting what military analysts are increasingly referring to as a push towards intelligentized warfare. The display included a wide variety of drones, from large unmanned submarines to sophisticated aerial systems designed to operate as “loyal wingmen” alongside advanced stealth fighters. Ground-based autonomous vehicles, engineered for complex tasks such as logistics and mine-clearing, were also on display, illustrating a strategic effort to build a highly networked and autonomous military force for future conflicts.
A Shifting Global Balance
The sheer scale and sophistication of the hardware on display highlight China’s capacity to develop and deploy advanced military technologies at an impressive pace. While China’s total defense expenditure remains second to that of the United States, its consistent and substantial increases in military spending over the past three decades have positioned it as the dominant regional power, with a budget that significantly exceeds that of its neighbors. This investment has fueled a particularly rapid expansion of its navy, with some expert projections suggesting China could possess a larger fleet of battle force ships than the U.S. Navy by 2030.
From Spectacle to Substance
Despite the powerful visuals, military observers urge caution against drawing definitive conclusions about China’s combat readiness based on a parade alone. Analysts note that the Chinese military has not been tested in a high-intensity conflict for several decades. The recent experiences of the Russian military in Ukraine serve as a stark reminder that technological and numerical superiority do not automatically guarantee success on the battlefield. While the United States has historically maintained a reputation for effective military power, many assessments suggest that its technological edge over China is narrowing. Ultimately, the parade served as a potent symbol of China’s military ambitions and technological achievements, yet the true effectiveness of these new systems remains untested in the crucible of combat.
