North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attending a military parade in the centre of Beijing, alongside Russian president Vladimir Putin and China's leader Xi Jinping, is quite the photo-op. It's also a key diplomatic win for Xi. The Chinese leader has been trying hard to project Beijing's power on the international stage - not just as the world's second-largest economy, but also as a diplomatic heavyweight. He has emphasized China's role as a stable trading partner while Trump's tariffs upended economic relationships. Now, while a deal with Putin to end the war in Ukraine continues to elude the US President, Xi is getting ready to host him in Beijing. Kim's attendance, a surprise announcement, is no less significant. Trump said last week, in a meeting with the South Korean president, that he wanted to meet Kim Jong Un again. His last shot at diplomacy with the reclusive dictator ended with no breakthroughs - despite two summits that captivated the world. Trump is suggesting he wants to try again. Meanwhile, the Chinese leader is signalling that he may hold the geopolitical cards in this game, and that his influence – though limited – on both Kim and Putin may prove crucial in any deal.
The parade on September 3 will showcase China's military might to mark 80 years since Japan's surrender in World War Two. The timing coincides with possible geopolitical discussions, with the White House indicating Trump's openness to meeting Xi. Topics on the agenda include tariffs and Beijing's potential influence on reaching agreements involving Russia. With both Kim and Putin at the event, Xi will seek to strengthen his hand in future negotiations with Trump, possibly contributing to discussions for peace in Ukraine.