China showcased its latest strategic weapon, the DF-5C intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), during a massive military parade in Beijing on Wednesday marking the 80th anniversary of victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.
Military analysts estimate the liquid-fueled DF-5C has a range exceeding 20,000 kilometers — enough to cover any target on the globe. The missile, unveiled publicly for the first time, represents a significant leap in China’s nuclear deterrence capabilities, according to Professor Yang Chengjun, a missile technology and nuclear disarmament expert.
“The DF-5C integrates the advantages of the DF-5 and DF-41 series, making it a powerful addition to China’s strategic arsenal,” Yang told the Global Times. “It provides significant strategic value in defense penetration and precision.”
Features of the DF-5C
Yang outlined six key attributes of the missile:
- New structural design — transported in three sections for faster assembly and quicker launch preparation.
- Global strike range — exceeding 20,000 km, enabling counterattacks on any target worldwide.
- Multiple launch methods — building on flexibility from previous DF-series missiles.
- High flight speed — reaching “tens of Mach,” which could outpace current missile defense systems.
- MIRV capability — able to carry multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles (nuclear or conventional warheads, or decoys).
- Enhanced precision — combining inertial, starlight, and BeiDou navigation systems for accuracy comparable to China’s shorter-range missile systems.
Yang emphasized that the DF-5C and other weapons on display are consistent with China’s long-standing nuclear doctrine. Beijing maintains a “no first use” pledge and says its arsenal is kept at the minimum level necessary for national defense.
Xi Jinping’s Message of Peace and Power
The parade, staged in Tian’anmen Square, featured thousands of troops, cutting-edge combat drones, and other missile systems. It concluded with the release of 80,000 doves and 80,000 balloons — symbolic gestures marking the day of remembrance.
President Xi Jinping, flanked by top leaders and foreign dignitaries, used the occasion to tie China’s military modernization to its vision of global peace.
“The rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is unstoppable,” Xi declared. “The Chinese people will stand firmly on the right side of history and join hands with the world to build a community with a shared future for humanity.”
Xi called on the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) to provide “strategic support for national rejuvenation” and to safeguard sovereignty and territorial integrity, while also pledging that China remains committed to peace and stability.
Historical Context and Symbolism
The V-Day commemorations highlighted China’s role in World War II, which Xi described as the country’s “first complete victory against foreign aggression in modern times.” He stressed that the sacrifices of over 35 million Chinese people during the 14-year war helped secure not only national liberation but also world peace.
An editorial in the Global Times framed the event as both a remembrance and a warning. It said the parade was a “solemn commitment” to peace but also a clear signal that China will not tolerate any attempts to distort its wartime contributions or challenge its sovereignty.
“Demonstrating our determination and capability to defend peace serves as a warning to all forces attempting to turn back history and challenge the post-war order,” the editorial said.
A Dual Message
The DF-5C’s debut thus carried both symbolic and strategic weight. For domestic audiences, it reinforced pride in China’s growing military strength and historical resilience. For the international community, it projected both deterrence and Beijing’s stated commitment to peaceful development.
As Xi put it, “Only when nations across the world treat each other as equals, live in harmony, and support one another can common security be safeguarded and historical tragedies prevented from recurring.”
