BEIJING, 04 September 2025 (TATOLI) – Timor-Leste’s House Speaker, Maria Fernanda Lay, joined more than 25 foreign leaders, including heads of state and government, at a large-scale military parade in Beijing on Wednesday.
The event, led by Chinese President Xi Jinping, showcased China’s military strength, with Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un among the dignitaries in attendance.
Invited by President Xi, Lay’s presence underscored Timor-Leste’s commitment to its strong bilateral relationship with China.
Leaders from across Southeast Asia were also present, including Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni, Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Myanmar’s military chief Min Aung Hlaing, and Vietnamese President Võ Văn Thưởng.
Held in Tiananmen Square, the parade marked the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. China used the occasion to display its advanced military arsenal, including long-range nuclear missiles, rockets, lasers, and various drones, which were transported on flatbed military trucks.
Helicopters flew overhead trailing large banners, while fighter jets performed synchronized aerial formations during the 70-minute demonstration, which concluded with the release of 80,000 “peace” birds.
This meticulously organized event aimed to highlight China’s military modernization and patriotic spirit, featuring thousands of troops and cutting-edge weaponry.
In his address to the crowd of over 50,000 spectators, President Xi Jinping stated: “Today, humanity faces a choice between peace or war, dialogue or confrontation, win-win or zero-sum.”
He further declared that the Chinese people are “firmly on the right side of history,” reaffirming China’s vision for global peace and stability.
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Rafael Ximenes de A. Belo
