China showcased its military power Wednesday with its largest-ever parade, unveiling a nuclear-capable missile with near-global reach alongside hypersonic weapons, air defense lasers and sea drones in a sweeping display of deterrence.
Military analysts and diplomats saw China's leader Xi Jinping using the event to signal a diverse group, from the United States and its allies, to neighbors and regional powers India and Russia, as well as potential buyers of technology.
"For all the operational questions that surround some of these new elements, China was sending a message of technological advance and military strength on all fronts – there is a indeed a lot for rival defense planners to get their heads around," said Singapore-based security analyst Alexander Neill.
For the first time, China displayed its full nuclear triad of weapons that can be deployed from land, sea and air, including a retooled intercontinental ballistic missile, the DF-5C, with a range of 20,000 kilometers (12,400 miles), and a new road-mobile long-range missile, the DF-61.
Beyond the strategic level, China's military was also showing it was determined to dominate its near seas as well.
