Why did Xi visit Putin's victory parade?
Xi signals support for Putin
On the 9th of May every year Russia holds a victory parade, to celebrate winning World War 2. This year, Chinese leader Xi Jinping was there.
Xi didn't come alone, he brought some of his troops with him to march in the parade:
(Incidentally, the soldiers are using China's old rifle, the QBZ-95 and not the current one, the QBZ-191.)
Why did Xi attend the parade?
Xi doesn't usually attend the Moscow victory parade -- this is his second time attending. The first was in 2015.
So why is Xi attending now? To show his support for Russia and Russia's invasion of Ukraine, of course.
What outcome is Xi hoping to happen? My speculation is he wants to signal to Russia that he is supporting it more firmly, so that Russia continues fighting the war in Ukraine, and doesn't agree to peace, unless it is a peace advantageous to Russia (i.e. one where rump Ukraine is neutral and can thus be easily invaded by Russia at a future date).
Why would China want that outcome? Presumably Xi thinks the continuation of the war harms the West more than it harms China. The reasons this might be the case include:
Ukraine is using up a lot of European and American weapons/ammo
the continuation of the war might, if China is lucky, create further rifts between Europe and America, which will be to China's advantge.
Why do you think Xi attended Putin's parade? Let's hear your thoughts in the comments.
Funny how all the armies that went to bullpups are going away from them.
« My speculation is he wants to signal to Russia that he is supporting it more firmly, so that Russia continues fighting the war in Ukraine, and doesn't agree to peace, unless it is a peace advantageous to Russia (i.e. one where rump Ukraine is neutral and can thus be easily invaded by Russia at a future date).»
A peace advantageous to Russia might also cause further rifts between the US and Europe. If somehow Putin agreed to humiliating concessions and did it all for nothing, that would be a very theoretical outcome, that could make us Westerners all hold hands again. Guess China is also hedging against such a long shot.