Sept. 3 (UPI) — Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un stood shoulder-to-shoulder on Wednesday for a display of Chinese military might in Beijing, including its latest nuclear-capable missiles, laser weapons and a new stealth fighter-jet.

The massive parade marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square was the first time the three leaders had been seen together publicly.

Xi engaged in lengthy handshakes first with Kim and then moved on to Putin before the three walked side by side along a red-carpeted route to their viewing position on a rostrum in Tiananmen Square to join 50,000 guests gathered for a march-past of 10,000 troops flanked by the latest military hardware and more than 100 aircraft overflying the square.

Among the equipment on display were new hypersonic and nuclear Inter Continental Ballistic Missiles, including a new DF-5C version of the Dongfeng-5, said to be capable of reaching the United States, the DF-26D and the DF-61, as well as new AI-enabled autonomous weapons.

The military’s new J-20S twin-seater stealth fighter was given its first outing, but in a static display, and did not fly.

The 70-minute-long parade also showcased new branches of the People’s Liberation Army, including Aerospace Force, Cyberspace Force and Information Support Force.

However, Xi sought to present the growing military might on display as a force for peace with helicopters flying banners that read “Justice will prevail. Peace prevails. The people prevail,” and a speech in which he said that in an ever more dangerous world, China would always make a principled stand.

“Today, humanity is again faced with the choice of peace or war, dialogue or confrontation, win-win or zero-sum,” Xi said. China’s people, he added, “firmly stand on the right side of history”.

But at the same time, he stressed that as a great nation, China “is never intimidated by any bullies” and warned that his country was “unstoppable”.

“Strength may prevail for a time, but over the long arc of history, it is reason that wins. Justice, light, and progress will always triumph over evil, darkness, and reaction,” he said.

Only two Western leaders were present and no representatives of any of China’s wartime allies, which included the United States, Britain, Australia, New Zealand, and the then-U.S. colony of the Philippines, were invited.

The conspicuous show of unity and muscle-flexing prompted a scathing response from U.S. President Donald Trump, who accused the trio of plotting against the United States and bemoaned the fact that the event ignored America’s contribution in helping defeat the Japanese army in China.

“The big question to be answered is whether or not President Xi 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. 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 on his social media platform.

“Please give my warmest regards to Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un, as you conspire against the United States of America.”

Xi’s speech did nod to the contribution made by allies, saying China would never forget the help it received from “foreign governments and international friends,” in defeating the Japanese army, which formally surrendered to the then-nationalist government on Sept. 3, 1945.