Welcome to the News Hour. An extraordinary display of military might on the streets of central Beijing today as China's president, along with the leaders of Russia and North Korea, marked the 80th anniversary of the defeat of Imperial Japan.

The military parade was the culmination of several days of high-level diplomacy but without the United States, as China seeks to cement

its place as a preeminent global power.

Nick Schifrin starts our coverage.

In downtown Beijing, a symphony of sycophancy.

As Chinese President Xi Jinping encouraged the eager soldiers of the People's Liberation Army.

And to a sea of adoring fans,

a manifestation of military might. New hypersonic missiles designed to target American ships.

New intercontinental ballistic missiles that can reach American shores. New submarine drones

and massive new unmanned aircraft. It was a not so subtle warning today to China's rivals.

Eight terrible years of struggle are over at last for China.

Time to the 80th anniversary of Imperial Japan's surrender to pre-communist China, after nearly a decade

fighting Chinese troops. Today, Xi called the past prologue. They fought for the survival of the country. Today, Xi called the past prolog. They fought for the survival of the country.

Today, humanity again faces a choice between peace and war.

The rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is unstoppable.

They were hoping I was watching and I was watching.

In Washington, President Trump praised the parades, Pomp and Xi Jinping himself, but accused

Beijing of ignoring America's role in defeating World War II Japan.

I don't believe that America, that the United States was acknowledged for helping China

to gain its freedom. But the freedom that she envisioned today was from what he calls U.S. hegemony.

And for that, he brought allies.

This was the first ever in-person meeting of Xi, Russian President Vladimir Putin,

...