On September 2, China staged its largest-ever Victory Day parade, celebrating the 80th anniversary of Japan’s surrender in World War II. The grand display in Beijing was meant to highlight China’s wartime resilience, but it also triggered a furious reaction from U.S. President Donald Trump.

Trump, who has been openly eyeing a Nobel Peace Prize nomination, used the moment to remind China of the United States’ contribution to its World War II victory. Writing on Truth Social, he demanded that Beijing acknowledge the sacrifices of American soldiers who fought and died in Asia during the conflict. In his words:

“The big question to be answered is whether or not President Xi of China will mention the massive amount of support and ‘blood’ that The United States of America gave to China in order to help it to secure its FREEDOM from a very unfriendly foreign invader. Many Americans died in China’s quest for Victory and Glory. I hope that they are rightfully Honored and Remembered for their Bravery and Sacrifice! May President Xi and the wonderful people of China have a great and lasting day of celebration.” Trump wrote.

This post came just days after Trump had publicly downplayed concerns over growing ties between Russia, China, and other nations, saying they did not pose a direct threat to the U.S. Yet, in a striking shift, Trump suddenly accused Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and North Korea’s Kim Jong Un of working together against America. In another blunt Truth Social message, he stated:

“Please give my warmest regards to Vladimir Putin, and Kim Jong Un, as you conspire against The United States of America.”

The irony was hard to miss. Trump expects Xi to credit Washington for Japan’s defeat in 1945, but China’s ruling Communist Party has never been willing to share credit—even with its own historical leaders. The reality is that it was the Nationalist government under Chiang Kai-shek that led most of the military resistance against Japan during the war.

Historians note that the Communist forces at the time were more focused on gaining political ground than fighting Japan. After the war, the Communists eventually overthrew Chiang Kai-shek’s Nationalists in the civil war, establishing the People’s Republic of China in 1949. Since then, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has promoted its own version of history, claiming that it spearheaded the anti-Japanese struggle.

Against this backdrop, Trump’s expectation that the CCP would honor America’s role in the victory looks unrealistic. As many analysts point out, Beijing has long used history as a political tool, and giving credit to either the U.S. or the ousted Nationalist regime does not serve its narrative.

China’s Victory Day Parade

The Victory Day parade itself was a massive show of force. On September 2, Beijing brought out an extensive array of military hardware to mark the anniversary of World War II’s end. Among the prominent guests on the dais were Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, signaling China’s deepening ties with its old Cold War allies.

One of the most eye-catching displays was China’s HQ-9C missile system. This advanced surface-to-air missile is seen as Beijing’s answer to Western defense technology. Interestingly, a version of the HQ-9 has been exported to Pakistan, which claimed to use it during what their media called “Operation Sindoor.” Yet, despite its deployment, it reportedly failed to block incoming Indian missiles, exposing weaknesses in Pakistan’s air defense shield.

During the parade, Chinese President Xi Jinping struck a dual tone of confidence and reassurance. He described China as “unstoppable” while emphasizing the country’s dedication to peace. As he put it:

“China will adhere to the path of peaceful development. The rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is unstoppable, and humanity’s cause of peace and development will prevail.”

Xi also tried to present China as a responsible world power, pointing to global instability and urging cooperation over confrontation. He stressed that China would align itself with the “right side of history” and work toward building a common global future. In his words:

“Humanity is again faced with a choice of peace or war, dialogue or confrontation, and win-win outcomes or zero-sum games. The Chinese people will stand firmly on the right side of history and on the side of human progress, adhere to the path of peaceful development, and join hands with the rest of the world to build a community with a shared future for humanity.”

His remarks underscored Beijing’s desire to portray itself as both militarily strong and diplomatically responsible, even as its alliances with Russia and North Korea raise concerns in Washington and beyond.