Former Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Bob Carr will be a highlighted guest at China’s upcoming big military parade. Mark your calendars for September 3. This year, as always, the special event will take place on Tiananmen Square. In 2025, we will mark the 80th anniversary of Japan’s surrender in World War II. Carr stated his excitement for the rare opportunity, noting its symbolic value in commemorating what truly was an inflection point in history.
The upcoming “Victory Day” parade will be a show of China’s military might. It will serve as a lasting tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice during the war. Carr stated, “The Chinese victory over Japan is a historic event worth celebrating.” His presence is a strong indication of our commitment to honoring important international milestones and the important diplomatic relationships they foster.
Advocating for Australian Interests
Carr’s decision to attend the parade is based on his view that participation in the parade is in Australia’s national interests. He’s paying his own way to the event, which shows a serious commitment to being in discussions with all of the important players on a global stage.
“It’s in Australia’s interest to work for a good relationship with China and I don’t apologise for one moment for making my contribution,” Carr remarked, highlighting the necessity of maintaining strong ties with China amidst a complex geopolitical landscape. His participation at the dawn parade seeks to balance the recognition of the importance of Australia’s defence interests with acknowledgment of historical injustices that have largely defined regional dynamics.
Dan Andrews, former Premier of Victoria, has been invited to speak at the event. As of today, he still hasn’t made any firm commitment that he’ll actually go. Carr stressed the importance of that guest list, which could very well feature leaders from North Korea, Iran and Russia. Together, this lineup adds a considerable geopolitical weight to the significance of the gathering.
Notable Guests and Implications
Among the key leaders participating in the parade will be North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian will be in attendance. Further down that list of invitees, though, we find two former New Zealand Prime Ministers—Helen Clark and John Key. These leaders are here to set the example for the many colors of international love. Their performances will rock ICD 2024 to an exciting new level!
Carr commented on the implications of such high-profile attendance, saying, “Well, it’s precisely the company that the prime minister will be in when he visits on Australia’s behalf at the United Nations General Assembly.” This was no accident. This statement reveals his grasp of the wider diplomatic context surrounding this moment.
