In the confrontational atmosphere pitting Beijing against Washington and its allies in Asia, it is often forgotten that China and much of the west were allies in the region’s defining wartime struggle, fighting their then mutual foe, Japan.
In September, Beijing is planning a massive military parade to remind the west and the rest of the world of that moment, the 70th anniversary of Japan’s surrender in the Pacific War. As commemorations go, it promises to be an awkward occasion.
Vladimir Putin, of course, plans to attend, returning the favour of Xi Jinping’s presence at the Russian commemoration earlier this year of the allies’ defeat of the Nazis. Mr Putin’s presence will not come as a surprise, given his geopolitical bromance with Mr Xi.
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