On September 3, China captured the world’s attention with a massive military parade celebrating the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. I attended the parade and watched the spectacle unfold just 100 meters from the Tiananmen Rostrum.

The parade, taking place in Tiananmen Square before an audience of more than 50,000 Chinese participants and several world leaders, sent a clear message: The era of unipolar dominance has ended, never to return.

The parade, watched by millions globally, was an occasion of national pride, showcasing China’s modern weapons systems on a commemorative day.

In his address before the parade, Chinese President Xi Jinping pointed out that, today, humanity again has to choose between peace and war, dialogue and confrontation, win-win cooperation and zero-sum game. The Chinese people firmly stand on the right side of history and the progress of human civilization. China will remain committed to the path of peaceful development, and join hands with all peoples around the world in building a community with a shared future for humanity.

The pride of the Chinese nation reflects both civilizational maturity and confidence in China’s progress. These achievements—far beyond the military—offer humanity a lifeline from the chronic crises of the old global order.

With wisdom and steadfast vision, China’s leadership has charted a path that aligns with the right side of history and the progress of human civilization, instilling a deep sense of belonging and pride among its people.

Drawing lessons from the past, China has built a modern, advanced army to safeguard its sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity. The People’s Liberation Army, under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC), embodies loyalty, discipline and service. Its role extends beyond national defense, contributing strategically to China’s great rejuvenation and to global peace and security.

China’s remarkable rise over the past decades is rooted in the successful leadership of the CPC and the determination of the Chinese people. This lends the country the legitimacy to move beyond the unipolarity that has been on the rise in the global geopolitical landscape in recent years, and toward a more diversified, prosperous and stable global order.

China’s military strength underpins global stability. As a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, its defense industry advances not only national security but also global stability.

China’s leadership on September 3 also honored the fallen—the soldiers and civilians who resisted Japanese aggression, as well as those overseas Chinese who contributed to the fight against Japanese invaders in whatever capacity they could. Xi expressed gratitude to foreign governments and international friends who supported China during the war. Friendly nations’ delegations were warmly received at the celebrations.

The parade came just two days after the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit in Tianjin on August 31-September 1, which brought together leaders of more than 20 countries and heads of 10 international organizations. China demonstrated its growing role as a key force for economic cooperation and security within the SCO, underscoring that the time when a few countries could impose their will on others has passed.

During his summit address, Xi stressed, “We should make the pie of cooperation bigger, and fully utilize the endowment of every country, so that we can fulfill our responsibility for peace, stability, development and prosperity in the region.” He also called for putting into use the SCO Universal Center for Countering Security Challenges and Threats and the SCO Anti-Drug Center and setting up an SCO development bank as soon as possible to provide stronger underpinnings for security and economic cooperation among member states.

As security cooperation becomes a binding framework among SCO states, the modernization of China’s military provides an important reference point for shaping a global order anchored in stability and security.

The author is assistant editor-in-chief of the Social Affairs Department at Tunis Afrique Presse.