The nuclear missile formation attends a parade in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 3, 2025. China on Wednesday held a grand gathering to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. (Xinhua/Liu Xu)

The year of 2025 marks an unforgettable year for the development of China's weaponry and equipment, with many new additions to the arsenal of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) dazzling military enthusiasts. The Global Times reporters were fortunate to be granted the opportunity to witness some of the debuting events, recording the memorable moments first-hand.

One of the most important events of the year is the grand ceremony commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. A V-Day military parade was held at the Tian'anmen Square in Beijing on September 3, where the PLA concentratedly unveiled some of its latest weaponry and equipment, such as the Type 100 new-generation tank, LY-1 shipborne laser weapon, YJ series hypersonic anti-ship missiles, HQ-29 antiballistic missile weapon, air superiority drones, and, with the most strategic significance, the country's nuclear triad.

When the narrator announced, "the newly debuted DF-5C liquid-fueled intercontinental strategic nuclear missile has the entire globe under its strike range," as the gigantic missiles - each must be split into three parts and carried by three vehicles - slowly marched past the Tian'anmen Rostrum, a round of deafening applause and cheers broke out, reflecting the audience's pride in their motherland.

"The thunderous roar of advanced and modern weaponry moving in formation, like the unstoppable advance of the wheels of history, fully demonstrates the strength of China's national defense forces and its determination to safeguard national sovereignty and defend world peace," Xu Liping, from the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), told the Global Times on-site.

Trajectory of development

Participating in the parade marking the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China as student volunteers in 2009, and covering the military parades marking the 70th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression in 2015 and the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the PRC in 2019, 2025 is the fourth time that the Global Times reporters be on the spot of a grand military parade at Tian'anmen Square.

Back in 2009, a highlight at that time was China's domestically developed J-10 fighter jet. After 16 years, the fighter echelons consisted of world-class J-20 series and J-35 series - a miniature of the rapid development of the Chinese defense hardware.

Both the J-20 and the J-35 have once again become top stars later in 2025. At the PLA Air Force aviation open-day activities and the Changchun Air Show held in Northeast China's Jilin Province in September, the J-20 stealth fighter jet was put on static display for the first time, allowing the public to get a close-up view of the advanced aircraft.

Zhang Xuefeng, a military affairs expert, told the Global Times that the static display of the J-20 is a rare opportunity. "By observing the J-20 up close, people can see it more clearly and appreciate the expertise behind it. People can gain insight into its design details, especially in terms of craftsmanship. You can clearly see whether the rivets are cross-shaped or hexagonal, and even the stealth coating is visible," he said.

The enthusiasm from the public for the J-20 has been overwhelming. When the aircraft landed for the static display after an hour-and-a-half aerial performance, crowds had already gathered outside the exhibition area, waiting to see the stealth fighter jet. 

The PLA Navy also made a sudden announcement during the Changchun Air Show that China's first electromagnetic catapult-equipped aircraft carrier, the Fujian, has achieved a breakthrough by hosting the first catapult-assisted takeoff and arrested landing training for the J-15T heavy fighter jet, the J-35 stealth fighter jet and the KJ-600 early warning aircraft. 

Later on November 5, another milestone was China entering an era with three aircraft carriers as the Fujian was officially commissioned.

Widely believed to be a core member in China's aircraft carrier formation, the J-35 carrier-borne fighter jet has a land-based twin, the J-35A. In mid-June, the Global Times reporters visited the birthplace of the J-35, the Shenyang Aircraft Design and Research Institute of the state-owned Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), and had an exclusive interview with its chief expert Wang Yongqing.

The J-35 series, developed with an "air-sea twin configuration" approach and a "one aircraft, multiple variants" concept, is expected to be produced in large numbers in the future, with the aircraft playing the role of a "point guard" in systematic combat operations, delivering exceptional performance, Wang told the Global Times then.

Steadfast breakthroughs

Year 2025 also saw many other new military weaponry and equipment receiving huge progress, including the commissioning of the first two Type 054B guided missile frigates and the sea trial of the country's first Type 076 amphibious assault ship, which is equipped with an electromagnetic catapult, essentially granting it capabilities of a light aircraft carrier.

An aircraft that media and analysts widely believed to be China's sixth-generation fighter jets, which was first spotted in December 2024, have been seen conducting test flights over the year. Enthusiasts are eager to see new progress on these aircraft in 2026, along with many other new developments in China's weaponry and equipment.

Global Times reporters have been on the spot to witness several important events in China's military hardware in 2025. With the continuous development of China's comprehensive national strength and the advancement of science and technology, in line with the needs of safeguarding national sovereignty, security and developmental interests through national defense construction, more advanced weapons and equipment are expected to make their debut in the future. 

As the world is undergoing profound changes unseen in a century, amid a deteriorating global security situation, China will stand firm in defending the post-war international order and safeguarding peace and stability, observers said.