The event, ostensibly to mark 80 years since the end of World War II, was a chance for Xi to put on an extravaganza to showcase China's military prowess and bring together friendly leaders to send a message to the rest of the world

Kicking off the parade, President Xi warned the world was still "faced with a choice of peace or war", but said China was "unstoppable"

All eyes were on how the trio of Xi, Putin and Kim -- who rarely leaves secretive North Korea -- interacted with each other

Security around Beijing was tightened, with road closures, military personnel stationed on bridges and street corners, and miles upon miles of white barriers lining the capital's wide boulevards

Putin and Kim held talks after Wednesday's parade, during which the Russian president thanked Kim for deployments of North Korean soldiers to aid Russia in its conflict with Ukraine