China has held its largest-ever military parade in a display of its growing firepower and geopolitical clout as President Xi Jinping seeks to cast Beijing as the custodian of a post-US international order.

Flanked by Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, Mr Xi was shown on television strolling up a red carpet to take his seat for the lavish event marking 80 years since Japan's defeat at the end of World War II.

More than 50,000 spectators packed into stands joined a vast choir singing patriotic songs as the dignitaries took their seats on the tribune overlooking Tiananmen Square.

Wearing a suit in the style of those worn by former leader Mao Zedong, Mr Xi earlier greeted about two dozen largely non-Western leaders in attendance, including Indonesian Presi

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