China's president, Xi Jinping, held a massive military parade to mark 80 years since the end of

World War II and the country's victory in it. But it was much more than a parade. Vladimir Putin

was there, the leader of Russia and North Korea's Kim Jong-un. It was the first time all three men have met together, and that's a big deal.

But what sort of alliance is this? And how should Western leaders respond? I'm Celia Hatton.

This is the Global News podcast on the BBC World Service.

Jean, let's start with you.

What is the moment that made you sit up and really take notice?

That's really stuck in your mind from the events that we've seen in Beijing.

So I'm the BBC's Seoul correspondent, which means I'm based here in Seoul in South Korea,

but I cover North and South Korea.

And so for me watching this parade, the moment, I guess, that really stood out for me was just

right at the beginning when you had Kim Jong-un walking through Tiananmen Square right at the front

with Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin, the three of them together,

just because, you know, this is a leader that has been so isolated,

and suddenly he seemed almost elevated to the same level of these two major world players.

And just so seeing him on that kind of stage and given that prominence by the Chinese was quite staggering.

Absolutely. And Olga, your thoughts. What's the moment that's stuck in your mind?

Yeah, I'm one nation. I'm covering everything related to Russia, senior correspondent and BBC Russian service.

The moment which really stuck with me was actually when Putin was welcomed by Sid Zimping,

and this is the moment which was broadcasted by Russian TV many, many times on repeat afterwards.

It was Mr. Putin walking on a red carpet just through the barrage of flags of the other

countries who were invited by Xi Jinping as well.

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