China military parade LIVE updates: Victory Day parade begins in Beijing as Xi Jinping flanked by Putin, Kim Jong-un on arrival; former Victorian premier Daniel Andrews in attendance

You can watch a livestream of the military parade here.

Former Queensland premier Anastasia Palaszczuk has blasted former state premiers Daniel Andrews and Bob Carr for accepting invitations to China’s celebrations of the end of World War II.

Andrews was filmed arriving at today’s parade, shaking hands with Xi. Carr is not attending the parade itself.

“If it were me, it’d be a definite N-O. I would not be attending that. It just is the next level. It’s a bridge too far,” Palaszczuk told Sky News this morning.

“I respect Dan, I respect Bob. But I think they’ve just gone the next level. Go there for a holiday, do your business talks, but there’s no need to attend this military parade.”

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has invited Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko to visit his country, the Belarusian Pul Pervogo Telegram account reported today.

Pul Pervogo, a social media account that reports widely on Lukashenko’s activities, said the two leaders spoke ahead of the military parade in Beijing to mark the end of World War II.

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko in Beijing in June.Credit: AP

US President Donald Trump has commented on the military parade under way in Beijing, posting a partially sarcastic message on social media that suggests he is watching proceedings on television.

“The big question to be answered is whether or not President Xi [Jinping] of China will 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,” Trump said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un arrive together at the military parade.Credit: Kremlin Pool Photo/AP

“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!,” he wrote.

“May President Xi and the wonderful people of China have 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.”

It is assumed Trump was referring to US actions against Japan in the Pacific theatre of World War II, including the hundreds of so-called “Flying Tigers” – American mercenaries who died while hired by China to fight Japanese aggression.

But it is his pointed remark about Putin and Xi “conspiring against the US” that has the most currency as the world waits to see what Trump will do next in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has addressed the military parade in Tiananmen Square, drawing a link between China’s role in World War II and its “resistance against Japanese aggression”, and its present day fight against “bullies” – a swipe at the United States that will resonate with China’s friends in Global South countries.

Chinese President Xi Jinping speaks at the military parade.Credit: AP

“Comrades and friends, the Chinese nation is the great nation that is never intimidated by any bullies and always values independence and forges ahead,” Xi said, adding that when faced with struggle in the past, the Chinese people “rallied together to defy the enemy”.

“They fought for the survival of the country, for the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and for justice of the whole humanity. Today, humanity again has to choose which – peace and war, dialogue and confrontation, win-win co-operation and zero-sum game. The Chinese people firmly stand on the right side of history and the progress of human civilisation.”

Riding in an open-top car, the Chinese leader is now inspecting thousands of assembled soldiers, tanks and missile launchers.

Intercontinental ballistic missiles, stealth drones and amphibious vessels are also on display.

Chinese President Xi Jinping inspects the troops at the military parade.Credit: AP

Credit: Getty Images

People watch Xi Jinping at the parade in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square.Credit: AFP

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has swerved several questions about former Victorian premier Daniel Andrews’ presence at a parade in Beijing today, where President Xi Jinping is also hosting Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un.

Albanese repeated that former minister Michael Ronaldson had gone to the parade 10 years ago under the Coalition government, and that Andrews would not meet the Russian or North Korean leaders.

“He’s not meeting them, as I said the last time around 10 years ago, [when] minister [Michael] Ronaldson was the government’s representative.”

Flanked by Russia’s Vladimir Putin and North Korea’s Kim Jong-un, a smiling Xi Jinping strolled up a red carpet to take his seat at the lavish event marking 80 years since Japan’s defeat at the end of World War II.

Some guests applauded politely as the leaders paused to shake hands with five World War II veterans, some aged over 100.

China’s President Xi Jinping is seen on a screen before the start of the military parade.Credit: Getty Images

More than 50,000 spectators packed into stands joined a vast choir singing patriotic songs as the dignitaries took their seats on the tribune overlooking the square.

Wearing a suit in the style of China’s communist founder Mao Zedong, Xi earlier greeted the more than 20 leaders saying “Nice to meet you” and “Welcome to China” in English.

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, facing widespread protests at home, made a surprise appearance.

Xi has also inspected his troops from his vehicle, standing through a skylight to do so.

Reuters

US President Donald Trump says China doesn’t pose a military threat to America and dismissed the notion that the Beijing parade is a concern to the US.

Asked if Chinese President Xi Jinping’s event – which will be attended by Russia’s Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un – posed a challenge to US power, Trump replied: “No, I don’t see that at all.

US President Donald Trump addresses the media at the White House overnight.Credit: AP

“I have a very good relationship with President Xi, as you know,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office.

“But China needs us much more than we need them.”

Separately, Trump expressed confidence that Beijing would not aim its defence assets at the US in the future.

“We have the strongest military in the world, by far,” Trump said in a radio interview with conservative commentator Scott Jennings.

“They would never use their military on us – believe me, that would be the worst thing they could ever do.”

Bloomberg