US President Donald Trump accused China, Russia, and North Korea of planning a conspiracy against the United States on Tuesday, shortly after a large military parade began in Beijing to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.
Posting on his Truth Social platform, Trump said the “big question” was whether Chinese President Xi Jinping would mention “the massive amount of support and ‘blood’ that the United States of America gave to China in order to help it to secure its FREEDOM from a very unfriendly foreign invader.”
“Many Americans died in China’s quest for Victory and Glory. I hope that they are rightfully Honored and Remembered for their Bravery and Sacrifice!” Trump wrote. He also wished China and Xi “a great and lasting day of celebration.”
“Please give my warmest regards to Vladimir Putin, and Kim Jong Un, as you conspire against the United States of America,” Trump added.
The Kremlin said Wednesday it hoped President Trump’s claim that the leaders of Russia, China and North Korea were conspiring against the United States was meant as a joke.
“I think not without irony, he said that these three are allegedly plotting against the United States,” Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov told Russian state TV, commenting on a Trump social media post that claimed Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping and Kim Jong Un had gathered in Beijing to plot against Washington.
The parade, held in Tiananmen Square, featured thousands of troops and a showcase of China’s military equipment, including the debut of the DF-5C intercontinental missile. According to Chinese state media, the missile has a range of more than 20,000 kilometers (12427 miles).
Xi opened the ceremony by calling on the Chinese people to remember the veterans who fought against Japanese forces.
“We are gathered here to celebrate the 80th anniversary of China’s victory,” he said, according to BBC News. He spoke of the “enormous national sacrifice” made by the Chinese people and declared that China “will never be intimidated by any bullies.”
Xi also said humanity faces a choice between “peace or war, dialogue or confrontation, win-win or zero-sum,” according to The Guardian. “The Chinese people firmly stand on the right side of history,” he added, warning that China is “unstoppable.”
More than two dozen world leaders attended the parade, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, and Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko.