Beijing Steps Up Security Before Xi’s Key Global Appearance
September 2, 2025
9:14 am
Beijing is bracing for a grand military parade, a meticulously staged display of power orchestrated by President Xi Jinping. Eight massive Chinese flags flank a portrait of Mao Zedong atop the Gate of Heavenly Peace, overlooking Tiananmen Square, one of the largest public squares in the world.
Rows of seats have been reserved for 26 foreign heads of state, including Russia’s Vladimir Putin and North Korea’s Kim Jong Un, signaling Xi’s diplomatic influence. Nearby, outside the Great Hall of the People, two enormous floral arrangements commemorate the end of World War II, while seating for roughly 50,000 invitees stretches …
