Taiwan President Criticizes Strongmen Amid China Military Parade with Russia, North Korea

China recently held a military parade marking the end of World War Two, hosting leaders including President Xi Jinping, Russia's Vladimir Putin, and North Korea's Kim Jong Un. Taiwan President Lai Ching-te sharply criticized the event, condemning the authoritarian personality cults and secret police networks associated with such regimes, and rejecting what Taiwan views as China's distorted historical narrative of the war. Lai emphasized Taiwan's democratic values and its role as the Republic of China government that fought alongside the Allies, contrasting with the authoritarianism he associates with China and its allies. While Taiwan advised its citizens not to attend the parade, former Kuomintang chairwoman Hung Hsiu-chu represented Taiwan in Beijing, highlighting complex political ties given the party's historical role during WWII. The parade heightened tensions in the Taiwan Strait, with concerns expressed over the military display serving as a show of force and a warning to Taiwan and Western countries. Taiwanese media coverage of the parade was limited compared to China, and Lai commemorated Taiwan's own military sacrifices at a separate memorial ceremony.