Several African leaders have been invited by Chinese President Xi Jinping to participate in Wednesday’s military parade marking the 80th anniversary of World War II’s conclusion.
These include Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa, Congolese President Denis Sassou N’guesso and Cameroon’s Paul Biya among others.
China has orchestrated an elaborate commemoration featuring over 100 aircraft alongside advanced tanks and missile systems in a display of military modernization.
The parade will host approximately 20 world leaders, including North Korea’s Kim Jong-Un and Russia’s Vladimir Putin, who attended Monday’s Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in northern China.
Putin emphasized SCO’s growing influence during his summit address, describing the organization as a powerful driver of global development and genuine multilateralism. He highlighted its role in fostering cooperation and mutual trust across Eurasia while establishing conditions for stability, security, and peaceful development throughout the region.
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization, initially conceived as a counterweight to American influence in Central Asia, comprises Russia, Belarus, China, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan as full members. The organization’s evolution reflects shifting geopolitical alignments and China’s strategic vision for regional integration.
African participation in these commemorations signals deepening China-Africa relations beyond traditional economic partnerships. The presence of multiple African heads of state at both military and diplomatic events demonstrates Beijing’s multifaceted approach to continental engagement, combining historical commemoration with contemporary strategic objectives.