Presidents Emmerson Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe and Denis Sassou Nguesso of Congo-Brazzaville were among 26 foreign leaders who attended China’s largest military parade to date in Beijing on Wednesday, marking the 80th anniversary of the country’s victory over Japan in the Second World War.
The event, staged with precise choreography, showcased more than 100 aircraft, as well as domestically produced tanks and missile systems, underscoring China’s growing technological self-reliance in defence. Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korea’s Kim Jong Un were the principal guests of honour, symbolising Beijing’s strengthening political partnerships across Eurasia and Asia.
Africa’s representation at this year’s parade was notably smaller than a decade ago. In 2015, five African heads of state participated, while in 2025 only two leaders attended. Data compiled by the Asia Society Policy Institute indicates that the guest list has become more selective and regionally concentrated, with the inclusion of long-standing partners such as Iran and Cuba. This reflects Beijing’s emphasis on consolidating ties with governments that share histories of strategic cooperation and non-Western alignment.
For Zimbabwe, Mnangagwa’s presence extends a trajectory of deepening engagement with China, which continues to play a central role in its economy through mining, energy, and infrastructure projects. Although no new commercial agreements have yet been formally announced during the visit, Harare has consistently positioned its “all-weather friendship” with Beijing as a cornerstone of its foreign policy. This partnership has been instrumental in attracting investment into lithium extraction, energy generation, and broader industrial development.
For Congo-Brazzaville, participation similarly mirrors its ongoing reliance on China as a key partner in oil and infrastructure development. Both Brazzaville and Harare’s invitations highlight Beijing’s prioritisation of states with established political and economic ties, particularly in the Global South.
The symbolic importance of Zimbabwe and Congo-Brazzaville’s presence should not be understated. At a time when Africa’s collective representation appears numerically reduced, the prominence of these two leaders demonstrates Beijing’s selective elevation of particular African partners. For Zimbabwe, in particular, the opportunity to be positioned alongside major Eurasian and Asian powers at such a high-profile gathering bolsters its diplomatic visibility and may provide a strategic advantage within the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
This presence reflects the broader dynamics of multipolarity, where African states are increasingly navigating diverse partnerships beyond established Western-led frameworks. While symbolic, such visibility may create pathways for Zimbabwe and Congo-Brazzaville to translate diplomatic gestures into concrete economic opportunities in the months and years ahead.
