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China military parade highlights advanced weapons and signals Beijing’s ambition to reshape global power. On Wednesday, President Xi Jinping unveiled an array of drones, lasers, and missiles in a show of military strength through central Beijing. The massive display aimed to demonstrate China’s rising industrial and technological capabilities.
New Weapons Take Center Stage
The most striking moment came with the debut of the DF-61 intercontinental ballistic missile, the first new ICBM since 2019. Alongside it, hypersonic glide vehicles underscored China’s ability to challenge missile defense systems.
But drones and laser defense systems may prove more important in the long run. China showcased underwater drones, aerial wingmen for stealth fighters, and ground robots armed for combat or logistics. Mobile truck- and ship-mounted laser systems also appeared, signaling a push into directed energy weapons. These weapons offer cost-effective defense, using energy rather than projectiles. Analysts note that lasers could complicate any adversary’s efforts to blunt China’s military moves in Asia.
Industrial Capacity on Display
The China military parade highlights not only new technology but also the industrial base behind it. Analysts compared Beijing’s production scale to the U.S. wartime capacity of the 1940s. Unlike Washington today, China can produce weapons in large numbers and at speed. Malcolm Davis of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute said, “China develops advanced military capabilities, fields them quickly, and deploys them in larger volumes.”
Numbers Favor Beijing
A report from the Center for Strategic and International Studies noted that China’s defense spending has risen 13-fold in three decades. Regionally, Beijing spends five times more than Japan and nearly seven times more than South Korea. At sea, the imbalance is stark. By 2030, China is expected to field 48% more battle force ships than the U.S.
Experience Still Lacking
Despite the parade’s scale, experts warn that Beijing lacks real combat experience. China has not fought a high-intensity war since 1979. By contrast, U.S. forces demonstrated unmatched precision during recent strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. Retired Australian Army Maj. Gen. Mick Ryan noted, “Parades are not a good indicator of military effectiveness.” Still, he acknowledged China’s growing sophistication and its ability to produce all major weapons domestically.
