China pledged to be a guarantor of post-war peace and order and downsize its armed forces during yesterday’s grand parade – downplaying concerns over how Beijing might apply its military muscle when locking horns with neighbours in territorial and historical disputes.

But diplomatic observers said that by showcasing some of its most advanced weapons at the parade, China was staking its claim to leadership in Asia.

President Xi Jinping , in his speech at the parade commemorating the 70th anniversary of the end of second world war, spoke of China’s contribution to the victory of the Allied powers – a subtle message to remind the West about the shared lineage between the two sides.

… “We can get a glimpse of today’s geopolitical order through the turnout – the [attendance of the] Russian delegation is an implicit exhibition of its alliance with China, while most of the US allies consolidate themselves in not attending,” said Oh Ei Sun, a senior fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies at Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University.

Neighbouring countries would closely watch how China used its military prowess, Oh said. “If China uses its power to promote regional peace, it will certainly be welcomed in Southeast Asia,” Oh said.