The leaders of China, Russia and North Korea have appeared in public together for the first time in a show of solidarity at a massive military parade in Beijing.

President Xi Jinping said the world faced a choice between peace and war as China unveiled a huge arsenal of weapons – including nuclear missiles with a global reach – to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War Two.

The display was not just a look at where China has been, or how far it has come – it was showcase of where the country is going.

Xi played the role of a global leader prepared to stand alongside two of the most sanctioned leaders in the world: Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un.

And, at the Chinese leader’s feet, a military which is being built to rival the West.

The parade was a choreographed spectacle of precision, power and patriotism. Thousands of soldiers paraded equipment on Wednesday, demonstrating China’s military modernisation programme.

But one of the most enduring images of the parade took place before the first cannon was fired.

President Xi welcomed Kim with a long handshake, then moved on to greet Putin, before all three walked together to watch the parade.

This was the first time all three leaders have been seen in public together, and they really picked their moment.

Later, on the sidelines, Putin and Kim met, with Putin praising Pyongyang for sending soldiers to fight in Ukraine.

Putin and Kim joined 24 other dignitaries in China who had been invited to Beijing parade on behalf of Xi.

Former top leaders of China also stood at the Tiananmen viewing platform – but notably absent was former president Hu Jintao.

South Korea’s President Lee Jae Myung did get an invitation, but turned it down. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi – who met President Xi earlier this week – was also not present.

Among the world leaders attending were Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian, Pakistan’s PM Shehbaz Sharif, Vietnam’s Luong Cuong and Zimbabwe’s Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Most Western leaders opted not to attend China’s “Victory Day” parade.

The two that did make the journey – Slovakia’s Robert Fico and Aleksandar Vucic of Serbia – posed for photos with Putin after the main event.

They all watched on as around 50,000 spectators – all vetted in advance – attended the parade in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square.

President Xi inspected thousands of soldiers from different branches of the Chinese military who had gathered on Changan Avenue.

Laser weapons, robotic “wolves” and giant underwater nuclear drones were among new weapons on display.

China also showed off its stealth attack drones, dubbed the “loyal wingman”, as they are capable of flying alongside a manned fighter jet and aid it in its attacks.

Thousands of doves and balloons were later released into the skies above Tiananmen Square to mark the end of the parade.

Guests then enjoyed a lunch reception at the Great Hall of the People and could choose between a red or white Chinese wine.

President Xi gave a toast to say the world must “never return to the law of the jungle”

He did not address any Western nations specifically in his five-minute speech, but Chinese officials have previously called the US a “bully” for its imposition of tariffs on countries around the world.

Xi added: “We sincerely hope that all countries will draw lessons from history, value peace and work together to… create a brighter future for humanity”.

He concluded by toasting to “common prosperity for all humankind”.

Putin and Kim then held bilateral talks at Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in a meeting which lasted two-and-a-half hours.

The pair discussed North Korea’s contribution in the Ukraine war and reflected on an agreement struck last June between the two nations.

It is now estimated that up to 15,000 thousand North Korean troops have joined Russian soldiers on the front lines in Ukraine.

North Korea has also supplied Russia with ammunition. In exchange, North Korea is believed to have received money and help with weapons development.

It was the meeting between Xi, Kim and Putin, not just the weapons and troops on show, that appears to have grabbed the attention of Donald Trump.

The US president, who did not attend, took to his social media platform and accused his President Xi of conspiring against the US with Russia and North Korea.

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

Kremlin spokesperson Yuri Ushakov rejected any suggestion of a conspiracy against the US, according to Russian state media.

Ushakov called Trump’s words “ironic” and said Putin, Xi and Kim are “not even thinking about a conspiracy against the United States” and that the three leaders understand Washington’s role “in the current international situation”.