O n September 3rd China held its first parade in six years, commemorating the 80th anniversary of the end of the second world war. It marks the day in 1945 when Japan’s army surrendered to the Chinese government.

China’s leader, Xi Jinping, presided over the display of firepower, flanked by Vladimir Putin of Russia and Kim Jong-un of North Korea, among other leaders. The parade was not just a commemoration of Japan’s defeat in World War II but, even more so, a message for the West about China’s rise.

Fiery Cross Reef is Beijing's most important military and administrative outpost in the disputed Spratly Islands.

From an upgraded, nuclear-armed missile with near-global reach, to air defence lasers, hypersonic weapons, and sea drones that could crowd its near seas, China sent a broad message of deterrence with its largest ever military parade on Wednesday.

MOSCOW (Reuters) -Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday invited North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to visit Russia after holding talks in Beijing with him, according to video published by the Kremlin.