China: Xi Jinping says the world must choose between war and peace

“The world is faced with a choice between peace and war… China is a force for peace and development… No bully will be able to intimidate us…” The words of Chinese President Xi Jinping are enchanting: we all want to be “a force for peace and development,” and no one wants to be intimidated “by a bully” (whoever that may be — the democratically elected president of a Great Power or a dictator). Too bad that Xi says this after inspecting Chinese troops in an open-top car, before attending the grand military parade in Tiananmen Square on the 80th anniversary of victory over Japan in World War II; and with Russian President Vladimir Putin, the aggressor of Ukraine, and North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un at his side — it is the first time the three are together. While Xi speaks, Russia strikes yet again, with drones and ballistic missiles, hitting Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities.

Since the end of August, China has been engaged in a frantic diplomatic campaign, flaunting alliances and displaying power. First, in Tianjin, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit, where, among others, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan were also present; then, in Beijing, the parade. Echoing Xi’s words, U.S. President Donald Trump responded from Washington with an ironic, if somewhat rambling, post on his Truth Social platform: he evoked “the enormous amount of support and blood donated by the United States to help China free itself from a very hostile foreign invader,” without mentioning Japan; and went on to ask Xi “to give my warmest regards to Putin and Kim, while you conspire against the United States.” The post ended with wishes for Xi “and the wonderful Chinese people to enjoy a grand and lasting holiday.”

From China and Russia, a warning to Washington and messages to Brussels

According to the U.S. press, the Tianjin summit and the Beijing parade are “a warning to Washington,” as Fox News headlined. The Tehran Times spoke of “synergy between the lion and the dragon,” meaning Iran and China. Chinese, Russian, and Indian media all agree in noting the harmony — confirmed, rediscovered, or newly forged — among Beijing, Moscow, and New Delhi. China and Russia, whose relations — Xi noted — “have withstood the test of changing international circumstances,” signed around twenty bilateral agreements, ranging from energy to aerospace, from artificial intelligence to agriculture. In Beijing, Putin also met Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico — the most pro-Russian among the 27 alongside Hungary’s Viktor Orbán — and reassured him: Moscow does not intend to attack the European Union — “a total absurdity, absolutely baseless” — and does not oppose Ukraine’s accession to the EU (but not to NATO); as for security guarantees for Ukraine, “a consensus is possible” at the end of the conflict — the Willing Nations will resume talks in Paris.

The EU’s response: warning to Beijing and record defense spending

Brussels, for its part, sent a message to Beijing: “China’s support for Russia’s war of aggression continues to negatively affect our relations, also because Beijing contributes to Russia’s military effort,” the European Commission said. European military spending in 2024 was the highest ever recorded: €343 billion, 19% more than in 2023. This was confirmed by the European Defence Agency, according to which Russia’s spending in 2024 amounted to €234 billion — two-thirds of Europe’s. Defense investments exceeded €100 billion for the first time, reaching €106 billion, equivalent to 1.9% of the combined GDP. According to the EDA, the surge in investments “reflects the determination of EU states to strengthen military capabilities in response to the evolving security environment.” EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas stated: “Europe is spending record amounts on defense to guarantee citizens’ security… We won’t stop here…”

Middle East/Ukraine: a war without pause

Meanwhile, China and Russia, with old and new allies, weave the fabric of a new world order, attributed to the Global South and positioned as an alternative to Western-led global governance embodied in the G7, while in Gaza and Ukraine the war fronts are ablaze, negotiations stagnant. Trump lets pass — without moving a muscle — his now-caricatured “two weeks” deadline given to Putin after the mid-August summit in Anchorage, Alaska, to unlock peace talks on Ukraine and organize a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is intensifying the military offensive in Gaza and carrying forward his plan to drain the meaning from the idea of a Palestinian state by occupying and fragmenting its territory before the countries that intend to do so recognize it at the UN General Assembly in three weeks. Even in the past 24 hours, several civilians have been killed, including at least five children shot dead while queuing for water in an area considered “safe.”