Xi Jinping oversaw a huge display of China’s military power on Wednesday before some of the world’s most powerful authoritarian leaders, rallying them behind his vision for a new world order as US President Donald Trump wages a global trade war and shakes up American alliances.

Russia’s Vladimir Putin and North Korea’s Kim Jong Un flanked Xi at the start of the parade as the trio stood together publicly for the first time in a historic moment.

The parade unveiled hundreds of advanced weapons and featured over 10,000 troops, showcasing China’s growing military power under Xi’s push to modernize the world’s largest standing army.

Here are some of the defining images of the day.

Paramilitary police stand guard ahead of Wednesday's event at Tiananmen Square.
Paramilitary police stand guard ahead of Wednesday's event at Tiananmen Square.
Pedro Pardo/AFP/Getty Images
Chinese servicemen march in formation during the military parade on Wednesday.
Chinese servicemen march in formation during the military parade on Wednesday.
Alexander Kazakov/EPA/Shutterstock
Chorus members line up at Tiananmen Square before taking part in the parade.
Chorus members line up at Tiananmen Square before taking part in the parade.
Kyodo/Getty Images
The flag-guarding air echelon flies over Tiananmen Square to mark the anniversary.
The flag-guarding air echelon flies over Tiananmen Square to mark the anniversary.
VCG/AP
Soldiers march during the rehearsal ahead of the parade.
Soldiers march during the rehearsal ahead of the parade.
Maxim Shemetov/Reuters
A vehicle-mounted laser weapon is on display at the parade.
A vehicle-mounted laser weapon is on display at the parade.
Pedro Pardo/AFP/Getty Images
Russia's President Vladimir Putin walks with China's President Xi Jinping and North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un before the event.
Russia's President Vladimir Putin walks with China's President Xi Jinping and North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un before the event.
Alexander Kazakov/AFP/Getty Images
Chinese peace-keeping troops take part in the parade.
Chinese peace-keeping troops take part in the parade.
Alexander Kazakov/AP
DF-61 missiles on display.
DF-61 missiles on display.
Andy Wong/AP
Vladimir Putin gestures as he arrives for the parade.
Vladimir Putin gestures as he arrives for the parade.
Sergey Bobylev/Sputnik/AP
Kim Jong Un arrives for the parade.
Kim Jong Un arrives for the parade.
Sergey Bobylev/Sputnik/AP
Spectators wave flags ahead in celebrate the anniversary at the parade.
Spectators wave flags ahead in celebrate the anniversary at the parade.
Maxim Shemetov/Reuters
Armed military personnel appear at the parade.
Armed military personnel appear at the parade.
Andy Wong/AP
People gather on a street outside the parade in Beijing.
People gather on a street outside the parade in Beijing.
Hector Retamal/AFP/Getty Images
Chinese President Xi Jinping joins the parade.
Chinese President Xi Jinping joins the parade.
Andy Wong/AP
Military veterans arrive at Tiananmen Square..
Military veterans arrive at Tiananmen Square..
Qilai Shen/Bloomberg/Getty Images
War medals on the uniforms of military veterans attending the event.
War medals on the uniforms of military veterans attending the event.
Lintao Zhang/Getty Images
Chinese soldiers take part in a rehearsal just hours before a military parade on Wednesday.
Chinese soldiers take part in a rehearsal just hours before a military parade on Wednesday.
Greg Barker/AFP/Getty Images
YJ-21 hypersonic anti-ship ballistic missiles are on display at the parade.
YJ-21 hypersonic anti-ship ballistic missiles are on display at the parade.
Pedro Pardo/AFP/Getty Images
Spectators in caps photograph military vehicles as the parade passes by.
Spectators in caps photograph military vehicles as the parade passes by.
Go Nakamura/Reuters
A Chinese flag waves as doves are released at the end of the parade
A Chinese flag waves as doves are released at the end of the parade
Go Nakamura/Reuters
Balloons are released to mark the end of the event.
Balloons are released to mark the end of the event.
Greg Baker/AFP/Getty Images