Photos: Heroes to hypersonic missiles galore, China marks 80 years since WWII
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A massive parade in Beijing showcased an arsenal of new weaponry in a defiant show of China's military and political strength.
Chinese war veterans display their medals at Wednesday's military parade in Tiananmen Square.Lintao Zhang / Getty Images
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By Roisín Savage and Max Butterworth
With precise marching and a parade of innovative weaponry, China celebrated 80 years since Japan's surrender in World War II with a huge display of military might in Beijing on Wednesday.
Dressed in a gray Mao suit and standing through the sunroof of an official limousine, President Xi Jinping marked the commencement of the parade in Tiananmen Square, which drew crowds of decorated veterans and politicians from around the world.
Chinese President Xi Jinping addressed some of the marchers from microphones mounted in a limousine.Wang Ye / APSoldiers raised commemorative flags in armored vehicles. Pedro Pardo / AFP via Getty Images
Decorated veterans and other retired Chinese military officials gathered on the sidelines of the famous square as new military hardware was seen for the first time.
An elderly veteran was helped to adjust his uniform ahead of the parade. Kevin Frayer / Getty ImagesRetired officers watch heavy weaponry being paraded. Kevin Frayer / Getty Images
Missile boosters, rockets, lasers and drones of many different shapes and sizes were prominently displayed on the backs of flatbed military trucks, slowly passing an audience of thousands.
Clockwise from top left: DF-5C intercontinental ballistic missiles, YJ-19 hypersonic cruise missiles, a military grade laser and an unmanned aerial vehicle. Getty Images
The parade held in the capital's Tiananmen Square marks the 80th anniversary of victory over Japan and the end of World War II.
Intercontinental nuclear missiles were driven past the huge crowds.Sheng Jiapeng / China News Service via Getty ImagesOnly Chinese troops took part in the parade. Pedro Pardo / AFP - Getty ImagesHelicopters fly in formation over Tiananmen Square.Rafiq Maqbool / APVeterans salute at passing aircraft over Tiananmen Square on Wednesday.Li Ming / Xinhua News Agency via Getty ImagesA soldier salutes from an armored vehicle carrying ballistic missiles. Lintao Zhang / Getty ImagesSoldiers from different military regiments put on an exceptional display of precision marching. Alexander Kazakov / AP
Notably, the event brought together Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, who joined Xi in a defiant show of solidarity against the West.
Kim Jong Un hugs Vladimir Putin.Sergei Bobylev / APPutin and Kim joined Xi, along with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, second from right, at the parade. Alexander Kazakov / AFP - Getty ImagesFlanked by Putin and Kim, Xi greeted some of China's veterans. Xie Huanchi / Xinhua News Agency via Getty Images A decorated veteran on the sidelines of the parade.Kevin Frayer / Getty ImagesA boy dressed as a soldier holds a toy gun as he waits to watch the military parade.Rafiq Maqbool / APDoves were released at the end of the parade.Kevin Frayer / Getty Images
Roisín Savage
Roisín Savage is a Photo Editor for NBC News Digital in London.
Max Butterworth
Max Butterworth is the Deputy Photo Director for NBC News in London.
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