The West could be facing a new terrifying triple threat from the east as Vladimir Putin, China's Xi Jinping and North Korea's Kim Jong Un marched out together in Beijing to witness an awesome display of military might in China.

The three authoritarian leaders, whose collective time in power over their countries is more than half a century, stepped out in the Chinese capital today (Wednesday) to watch a display of martial power which will be closely analysed by defence chiefs in Washington and London. The display of soldiers, aircraft, missiles, torpedoes, and a feared new laser defence weapon, were on show as part of the largest-ever Chinese Victory Day parade marking the 80th anniversary of victory over Japan and the end of World War II. US President Donald Trump took to social media just hours before the event, posting on Truth Social: "Please give my warmest regards to Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un as you conspire against the United States of America." In what could be interpreted as a response to Trump, the Chinese President told 50,000 spectators in Beijing's Tiananmen Square: "Today, mankind is faced with the choice of peace or war, dialogue or confrontation, win-win or zero-sum."

Jinping added that the Chinese people "firmly stand on the right side of history".

Weapons which might be fielded as part of any war included a new laser weapon, which was finally unveiled to the world. The Chinese propaganda machine had previously called the device the "most powerful laser air defence system in the world", and it was now revealed as a large white mirror-like weapon mounted on the back of huge military vehicles.

Speaking exclusively to the Daily Express, Professor Anthony Glees, a military and intelligence expert, said: "I think we need to take the threat of the Chinese laser kit very seriously indeed.

Prof Glees, from the University of Buckingham, added that the meeting of the Russian, Chinese and North Korean leaders was a sign of "two fateful things happening".

He added: "First of course, we’re seeing the pull of China and its so-called 'Shanghai cooperation' policy which is China’s way of establishing itself as the global world leader of the 21st century.

"It is my opinion a genuine axis of evil, of the three most aggressive powers, Russia, North Korea and China, wants to pull in satellites like India and demonstrate their ability to wage war at will and cow and subvert their enemies as they strive to grab land off their neighbors and add territory to their empires."

Also marching in the parade on Wednesday were the traditional People's Liberation Army units from the navy and army, but also new ones like the cyberspace unit. The new unit is in charge of cybersecurity defense measures, according to the official Xinhua news agency, and also participated in live-fire drills.

Another debut was the information support force, created in 2024 to build network information systems to support military combat readiness.

Much of the weaponry and equipment in the parade was being shown to the public for the first time, according to Chinese military officials. This included hypersonic missiles designed to take out ships at sea. These weapons are of particular concern to the US and Royal Navy, which patrol the waters close to China.

Also shown were underwater drones including the AJX002, a long, black tube-shaped craft that looks like a narrow submarine with a rear propeller, and a new intercontinental ballistic missile, the DF-61, which could carry nuclear warheads to distant targets.

Others included land, sea and air-based strategic weapons, advanced precision warfare equipment and drones. Warplanes and helicopters flew in formation in the skies overhead.

It's the first major military parade in China since 2019 on the 70th anniversary of the founding of communist China.