China's President Xi Jinping unveils laser weapons, nuclear ballistic missiles and giant underwater drones at a massive military parade 80 years on from the country's victory over Japan in World War Two
Russia's Vladimir Putin and North Korea's Kim Jong Un joined Xi, along with dozens of other heads of state - and only two Western leaders
The three leaders meeting together for the first time is the most enduring image from the choreographed spectacle, writes our China correspondent
Meeting on the sidelines, Kim tells Putin it's North Korea's "fraternal duty" to help Russia - the country has already sent weapons and troops to Ukraine
Meanwhile, Donald Trump, who was not at the parade, berated Xi on social media: "Please give my warmest regards to Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un as you conspire against the United States of America"
From Xi's clear message for Trump to the weapons that worry the West, read our correspondents' snap analysis
Just a moment ago, Xi Jinping and Kim Jong Un were seen chatting while watching the military parade.
The two Communist heads of state appear to be seated next to each other while observing the event.
Image source, CGTNAs we mentioned earlier, here's the moment a gun salute was fired 80 times to mark 80 years since China's victory over Japan in World War Two.
Have a watch:
Tessa Wong
Asia Digital Reporter
One much anticipated type of missile has been spotted in the parade.
The Dongfeng-61 is a platform missile designed to go into partial orbit and deliver a hypersonic weapon.
What also makes it interesting is that it is a road-bound missile and one key advantage is its agility, says defence analyst Alexander Neill who's sitting with me.
Paired with a transport-erector-launcher (TEL), it can be easily concealed, can be fuelled up and deployed relatively quickly.
It can also be launched from an assortment of different locations - meaning that it will keep the enemy guessing.
Image source, People's DailyLet's take a look at some of the key pictures from the parade so far:
Image source, Reuters
Image source, Reuters
Image source, Reuters
Image source, CGTN
Image source, CGTNEarlier, we saw China's President Xi - and other leaders - waving from the balcony of Tiananmen Square. Let's take a look at the moment:
Laura Bicker
Reporting from the parade
Image source, EPATaiwan President William Lai says China is a "foreign hostile force"
Meia Nouwens, head of the China Programme at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, says that this parade could offer clues about any future plans to invade Taiwan.
Of particular interest to her will be whether any of the new technology is “relevant for a Taiwan scenario”.
But she says there are also many things this parade won’t show - and that’s just as important.
"There are obviously very important things that make the People’s Liberation Army an effective fighting force that aren't visible in a parade, and that has everything to do with doctrine, strategy, but importantly also the connectivity between all of these forces.
“Can we get a greater insight into that at this parade?” she wonders.
Tessa Wong
Asia Digital Reporter
More on the military hardware, as we have spotted the DF-5C, a new variant of China's Dongfeng-5 nuclear intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).
Defence analyst Alexander Neill tells me this ICBM is said to have a longer range and can carry multiple warheads - up to 12 - on a single missile.
It is a two-stage nuclear missile that uses liquid fuel, which means its trajectory is propelled by two consecutive rocket stages, each with its own engine.
The DF-5C is silo-based, meaning it is launched from a facility dug deep into the ground, and meant to be a strategic deterrent, says Neill.
Tessa Wong
Asia Digital Reporter
Let's turn our attention to the other key part of the parade - the weapons.
As the shot follows Xi on his car, we can see a preview of the various military hardware on display.
I'm sitting with defence analyst Alexander Neill and so far he has identified various short- to mid-range missiles, multiple launch rocket systems, and unmanned combat aerial vehicles otherwise known as stealth drones.
We've also seen hypersonic glide vehicles, the YJ-21 anti-ship cruise missile and the JL-3 submarine launched ballistic missile.
A notable absentee from the grand parade in Beijing, US President Donald Trump has just dropped a post on Truth Social.
"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," Trump posted.
"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!"
Trump also criticised Putin and Kim for conspiring against his country.
"Please give my warmest regards to Vladimir Putin, and Kim Jong Un, as you conspire against The United States of America.
"May President Xi and the wonderful people of China have a great and lasting day of celebration."
Image source, CGTNDuring Xi's inspection of troops, Xi - the commander in chief - engages in a back-and-forth with troops typical of major military parades in Beijing.
Xi first calls: "Hello comrades!" They then reply: "Hello Chairman!"
Xi then says: "Comrades, thank you for your hard work!" The soldiers then respond: "It's to serve the people!"
The troops' gaze follows Xi as he passes them in the car.
Image source, CGTNXi Jinping begins his inspection of thousands of troops lined on Chang'an Avenue in central Beijing.
He is standing from the black roof of a Hongqi vehicle. Microphones are attached to the roof of the car in front of him so that he can address the troops.
An officer tells Xi that the troops are "fully prepared".
"Start!" Xi tells the officer.
A massive military parade in central Beijing attended by more than 26 heads of state is now on, as Xi has just finished a speech in which he praised China's "national sacrifice" to saving human civilisation.
Thousands of soldiers are ready to parade through Tiananmen Square - among the spectators are leaders of Russia, North Korea and Iran.
Image source, ReutersChinese leader Xi Jinping’s address at Tiananmen Square has now concluded.
Stay with us as we bring you the latest from the upcoming military parade.
It's a "new journey, new era," Xi continues in his speech, urging the "Chinese people of all ethnic groups" to follow the Chinese Communist Party.
"We should stay firmly on the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics. We should press ahead with enterprise and resolve," he says.
Xi is now talking about the "huge national sacrifice" that Chinese people made to saving human civilisation.
"History cautions us that humanity rises and falls together," he says.
"The Chinese nation is never intimidated by any bullies and always forges ahead."
"Comrades and friends", Xi says as he begins his speech, "we gather to commemorate the 80th anniversary of China's victory."
He calls on the Chinese people to remember history, commemorate the veterans who fought in the anti-Japanese war.
Xi delivers "sincere thanks" to those who have "made important contributions to China's anti-Japanese war".
China's President Xi Jinping has just appeared on the main stage and started a speech dedicated also to the foreign guests.
We will bring you the key points shortly.
Before the main parade gets underway, a gun salute - fired 80 times to mark 80 years since the victory over Japan in World War Two - is taking place.
Honour guards are also marching over a red carpet sprawled across Tiananmen Square, with a soldier at the front carrying China's national flag.
China's national anthem will now be played as the national flag is raised.
Laura Bicker
Reporting from the parade
Image source, Getty ImagesSome 50,000 guests are now in their seats, lining both sides of the Chang’an Avenue.
There’s a slight hush of anticipation.
State media cameras are poised on a system of overhead wires ready to capture the best shots.
Each member of the crowd has been given a Chinese flag to wave and they do so in unison, holding them high before the pageantry begins.
Now the choreography begins. Members of the choir hold up their fists in a show of patriotism and defiance to punctuate each verse as the flag waving continue.
The cameras zoom above them to show the conductors dressed all in white.
The choir, dressed in blue, are in perfectly spaced lines. The music starts to soar above the square. And this is before the parade which is due to start in ten minutes.
We're now bringing you more images from the parade, where performers are singing patriotic songs.
One song being performed is Defend the Yellow River, which is about China's resistance against Japan in World War Two.
The lyrics include: "Defend our homeland, defend the Yellow River, defend north China, defend all of China!"
Image source, CGTN
Image source, CGTN
Image source, CGTN