China showed footage of President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un walking alongside each other as they arrived at Tiananmen Square in Beijing for a military parade.

They are believed to be demonstrating unity of the three countries as a counterbalance to the West.

China held the parade to commemorate 80 years following its war victory over Japan and to demonstrate its military power.

Xi said in a speech that the world is now faced with choosing between war and peace as he called for unity.

Xi Jinping, Chinese President
Friends, the Chinese people are a great people who do not succumb to violence and who strive toward self-reliance and strength. We must unite and work hard to advance the great feat of national rejuvenation.

Also attracting attention is Kim's attendance and his being accompanied by a girl believed to be his daughter Ju Ae.

The military parade featured China's latest hypersonic missiles and a new type of submarine-launched ballistic missile capable of reaching the US mainland from waters near China that was unveiled for the first time.

A former senior member of the People's Liberation Army said the parade was aimed at showing China's military power especially to the United States.

Amid growing public discontent in China due to economic downturn, the Xi administration is apparently aiming to use the parade to call for unity and enhance its cohesive power.