Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa has arrived in Beijing, joining more than two dozen world leaders—including Russia’s Vladimir Putin and North Korea’s Kim Jong Un—for a series of events that signal China’s growing ambition to redefine global power structures. His presence at both a massive military parade and a parallel geopolitical summit highlights Beijing’s dual strategy of projecting influence through military strength and alliance-building.
Mnangagwa touched down in the Chinese capital on Monday ahead of a military spectacle commemorating the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. The parade, scheduled for Wednesday, is expected to be one of the most elaborate in recent memory. More than 100 aircraft will take to the skies, while columns of advanced tanks, missiles, and other weaponry—all domestically manufactured—will roll through Tiananmen Square. For Beijing, the event is not only a tribute to history but also a carefully choreographed demonstration of its technological sophistication and military self-reliance.
For China, the parade is about more than commemorating the past. Analysts say it is intended to underscore its arrival as a military superpower capable of rivaling the United States and its allies. The message is clear: China no longer sees itself as a regional power but as a central player in shaping global security dynamics.
That message was reinforced by the attendance of leaders from countries that share Beijing’s skepticism of Western dominance. The presence of Mnangagwa, Putin, and Kim Jong Un symbolizes China’s ability to bring together nations that feel marginalized or pressured by U.S. foreign policy.
Even as the parade preparations captured global attention, another significant event was unfolding in northern China—the summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). This 10-member bloc, often described as a little-known but formidable alliance, convened with presidents, prime ministers, and senior officials from across Eurasia.
Among those in attendance were Putin, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and leaders from Iran, Pakistan, and Belarus. While its name and structure remain unfamiliar to many in the West, the SCO has grown into a platform where some of the world’s most influential but ideologically diverse nations gather to discuss regional security, economic ties, and global governance.
In his opening speech, Putin portrayed the SCO as a cornerstone of a new multipolar order. “Our organization is consistently increasing its influence and is a powerful driver of global development processes and the establishment of genuine multilateralism,” he declared. His remarks reflected a broader theme running through both the SCO summit and China’s military showcase: the aspiration to construct alternatives to U.S.-led systems.
Mnangagwa Joins Global Leaders in Beijing as China Showcases Military Might and Expanding Alliances
The SCO was originally founded in 2001 by China, Russia, and four Central Asian nations as a security-oriented forum to balance American influence in the region. Over the years, its scope and membership have widened. India and Pakistan joined in 2017, Iran became a full member in 2023, and Belarus followed in 2024.
This diverse mix of members includes some of Washington’s most outspoken adversaries, such as Iran and Belarus, alongside countries like India that maintain complicated, sometimes ambivalent relationships with the United States. The bloc’s ability to bring together such varied players speaks to its appeal as a platform outside of Western-dominated institutions.
The timing of its growth is not coincidental. Strained relations with Washington—whether over the Ukraine war, sanctions, or trade tariffs—have motivated several members to seek new frameworks for cooperation. For China and Russia in particular, the SCO represents a strategic counterweight to U.S.-led alliances such as NATO and the G7.
Despite its expanded influence, the SCO remains enigmatic in its purpose. Critics say it lacks the cohesion of NATO or the economic weight of the European Union, functioning more as a loose club than a structured alliance. Yet its symbolic value should not be underestimated. Each summit reinforces the idea of a multipolar world where Washington no longer calls all the shots.
Observers are closely monitoring this week’s meetings for signs of concrete cooperation, whether in defense, infrastructure, or energy. For now, the organization’s activities remain deliberately vague, giving it flexibility while avoiding commitments that might fracture its diverse membership.
For Mnangagwa, participation in these events underscores Zimbabwe’s ongoing pivot toward the East. Harare has increasingly leaned on China for investment, aid, and diplomatic support, particularly as relations with Western nations remain strained over governance and human rights concerns. His presence in Beijing allows Zimbabwe to align itself with emerging global trends while seeking to secure more tangible partnerships in trade, infrastructure, and defense cooperation.
The juxtaposition of China’s military parade and the SCO summit tells a powerful story. On one side, Beijing is demonstrating hard power with rows of missiles and fighter jets; on the other, it is strengthening soft power through multilateral diplomacy. Together, these narratives illustrate a country confident in challenging Western influence on both military and political fronts.
As Mnangagwa and fellow leaders prepare to watch the spectacle in Beijing, the world is left to ponder whether these carefully staged displays represent a genuine shift toward a new global order—or simply a reminder that China and its allies are determined to test the limits of Western dominance.
Source- Africanews
