North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un arrived in Beijing on Tuesday aboard his heavily armoured train to attend a major military parade marking the 80th anniversary of Japan’s World War II surrender. The rare foreign trip underscores deepening ties between Pyongyang, Beijing and Moscow, and highlights North Korea’s determination to project power on the global stage.
Armoured train journey signals caution and symbolism
Kim’s choice of transport was his bullet-proof armoured train, often referred to as a “moving fortress”. The long journey from Pyongyang to Beijing underlines both his security concerns and the symbolic weight of travelling in the same manner as his father and grandfather. Such trips are rare, with Kim’s last visit outside North Korea taking place in 2019.
High-level delegation accompanies the leader
Kim was accompanied by several senior officials, including Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui, senior policymaker Jo Yong Won and party secretary Kim Tok Hun. The presence of such a high-ranking delegation indicates the political and diplomatic significance of the mission, with expectations that talks will extend beyond the ceremonial aspects of the parade.
Shared stage with Xi and Putin
In Beijing, Kim is expected to stand alongside Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin during the Victory Day celebrations. The appearance of the three leaders together sends a clear message of alignment between their governments. For China, the parade offers an opportunity to demonstrate global influence, while for North Korea it provides a rare platform to strengthen alliances at a time of heightened sanctions pressure.
Military focus before the parade
Before departing North Korea, Kim visited a missile research facility involved in developing components for intercontinental ballistic missiles. Analysts view this as a calculated signal that Pyongyang intends to showcase not only diplomatic engagement but also its advancing weapons programme. The visit highlighted the dual track of outreach abroad and military strengthening at home.
Implications for global politics
Kim’s arrival in Beijing for the parade underscores a tightening of ties between North Korea, China and Russia—an alignment sometimes referred to as an “axis of upheaval”. For Washington and its allies, the symbolism of the three leaders together raises concerns about a shifting global balance of power and the potential for increased cooperation among authoritarian states. The event is also seen as a test of Beijing’s ability to position itself as the central hub of an alternative world order.
REFH – Newshub, 2 September 2025
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