China unveils Dongfeng-5C, a missile that can strike the globe

China showcased new strategic weapons, including advanced missiles and fighter jets, during the military parade marking Victory Day in Beijing.

Members of the People's Liberation Army stand as the strategic strike group displays DF-61 nuclear missiles during a military parade to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in Beijing on Sept. 3. [REUTERS/YONHAP]

The underwater weaponry formation attends a military parade in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 3. [XINHUA/YONHAP]

China displayed a range of new strategic weapons during a military parade in Beijing on Wednesday, highlighting its expanding missile capabilities as tensions continue in the Indo-Pacific region.

The parade, held in Tiananmen Square, marked the 80th anniversary of Victory Day, promoted as the end of China's war of resistance against Japanese aggression and the global victory over fascism in China.

A member of the People's Liberation Army stands as the strategic strike group displays weaponry during a military parade to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the Sino-Japanese War in Beijing, China, Sept. 3. [REUTERS/YONHAP]

Among the weapons unveiled was the Dongfeng-5C (DF-5C), an upgraded version of the intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) DF-5B, believed to be capable of delivering nuclear warheads. With a global range, the DF-5C uses liquid fuel and is classified as a long-range strategic nuclear missile.

“The mighty east wind shakes the world,” was announced as the DF strategic nuclear missiles rolled through Tiananmen Square.

An armoured vehicle carrying the DF-5C liquid-fueled intercontinental strategic nuclear missile is seen during a military parade marking the 80th anniversary of the end of the Sino-Japanese War in Beijing, China, on Sept. 3. [EPA/YONHAP]

The parade came two years before Beijing’s stated 2027 deadline of building a “world-class military” and revealed both confidence in new weapons and unease over instability in the top ranks.

The climax featured China’s strategic strike units, with cruise missiles, hypersonic weapons and intercontinental nuclear arms. Long-range cruise missiles — the Changjian-20A, YJ-18C and Changjian-1000 — highlighted China’s capacity to deter U.S. and allied forces in the Taiwan Strait and South China Sea.

The hypersonic YJ-21, designed to strike U.S. aircraft carriers from long distances. The parade also featured the JL-3 submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM), which is believed to be capable of reaching targets across the continental United States.

It also presented the DF-61, a long-range missile, and the DF-26D, which has an estimated maximum range of 5,000 kilometers (3,100 miles) covering targets such as Guam and the Philippine Sea.

"This system has contributed significantly to the upended military balance of power that now exists in China’s favor in the Indo-Pacific," a report from U.S. foreign policy magazine The National Interest said. "Specifically, in any Taiwan contingency, with the DF-26D now present, U.S. carriers will need to remain beyond 1,000 kilometers from the strait, limiting air support and exposing vulnerabilities to saturation attacks."

China also revealed the DF-17, a medium- to short-range ballistic missile reportedly capable of penetrating missile defense systems such as the U.S.-led antimissile Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (Thaad) system deployed in Korea and the SM-3 system used in Japan.

The DF-41 ICBM, with a maximum range of up to 14,000 kilometers, also made an appearance. China also highlighted missile defense. The HQ-19 was described as similar to Thaad while the HQ-29, compared to the U.S. SM-3, was presented as capable of intercepting missiles and low-orbit satellites at altitudes up to 500 kilometers.

The underwater weaponry formation attends a military parade in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 3, 2025. [XINHUA/YONHAP]

The ship-based air defense weapons formation attends a military parade in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 3. [XINHUA/YONHAP]

Four extra-large unmanned underwater vehicles identified as the HSU100 were unveiled. At nearly 20 meters in length, they dwarf earlier versions and could threaten U.S. submarines in the Pacific. The Wuzhen-10 stealth drone, designed for both reconnaissance and long-range strikes, was also on display. China’s 99A tanks appeared with new autonomous defense systems to counter drones and loitering munitions.

Lt. Gen. Han Shengyan during the parade on Sept. 3 [SCREEN CAPTURE]

Despite the arsenal, the parade underscored internal strain. The parade command was handed not to the commander of the Central Theater Command, Wang Qiang, but to Lt. Gen. Han Shengyan, a relatively obscure deputy commander of the Western Theater Command. The absence of Wang, who also skipped the July Army Day reception, fueled speculation of a purge.

Chinese President Xi Jinping rode past the troops in an inspection vehicle, his expression stern. Analysts noted the contrast between the confident display of advanced weapons and the turmoil in military leadership weakened by corruption probes and high-level dismissals.

This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom. BY SHIN KYUNG-JIN [yim.seunghye@joongang.co.kr]