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Today, Xi Jinping invites half the world to Beijing.

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As a scene designed to send a message to the world, this one wasn't subtle.

On Beijing's Avenue of Eternal Peace, Xi Jinping put himself front and centre, flanked on either side by Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un, both suited and smiling for the cameras.

China, Russia, North Korea, all in lockstep.

Leading a line of more than 20 world leaders, the three of them walked together to witness

a victory parade like no other.

And boy, what a show.

More than 10,000 goose-stepping soldiers, air defence lasers, cutting-edge jets, stealth drones,

hypersonic weapons.

You named the military hardware and and for 70 minutes, China paraded it through Tiananmen Square.

The Chinese leader said the world was facing a choice between peace or war, and that China firmly stands on the right side of history.

Notably absent, any major leader from the Western world.

And what's it all supposed to mean?

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