President Xi Jinping greets Dan Andrews in China – as the former premier watches huge communist military parade
China’s President Xi Jinping has greeted Dan Andrews warmly in Beijing, ahead of a highly-choreographed military parade displaying the full might of the Communist regime’s army.
The Victorian Premier and former NSW Premier and Foreign Minister Bob Carr were part of a 10,000 strong crowd watching a massive military parade in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.
In extraordinary footage, Andrews was filmed being greeted by President Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan on a red carpet procession before the colossal military parade kicked off.
Andrews and Xi shook hands for several seconds as both men appeared to exchange warm pleasantries.
The former Victorian premier also happily posed for a ‘family photo’ alongside a rogues’ gallery of world leaders, including the likes of Russian President Vladimir Putin, North Korea’s Kim Jong Un and Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian.
It is understood that both Andrews and Carr are attending in a personal capacity.
But their presence has been roundly condemned, even by those on the left.
Former Labor Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said both Andrews and Carr had gone a ‘bridge too far’.
In extraordinary footage, former Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews was filmed being greeted by President Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan on a red carpet procession before the military parade kicked off. Both men shook hands for several seconds as they appeared to exchange warm pleasantries
Andrews (pictured, back right) posed for official pictures just metres away from world leaders including North Korean dictator Kim Jung Un (front right) and Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev (middle)
There is a rogues’ gallery of world leaders in attendance, including the likes of Russian President Vladimir Putin , North Korea ‘s Kim Jong Un and Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian (pictured)
‘I respect Dan, I respect Bob, but I think they’ve just gone the next level,’ Palaszczuk told Sky News.
‘Go there for a holiday, do your business talks, but there’s no need to attend this military parade.’
‘Trade is one thing, and tourism, but military parades, I would honestly stop and think seriously about that.’
The Australian ambassador to China, Scott Dewar, was not in attendance.
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley said Andrews and Carr needed to ‘explain why they’re attending a military parade that Vladimir Putin is attending and what that actually tells the world’.
However, Anthony Albanese refused to criticise his good friend and former flat mate when asked about Andrews’ attendance on Wednesday morning.
The Prime Minister Albanese insisted Andrews was ‘not meeting’ dictators such as Putin or Jong Un.
Footage from the parade showed President Xi being flanked by Putin and Jon Un as he glad-handed military veterans and was greeted by an adoring crowd.
The parade was an extraordinary display of Chinese military might
President Xi was led on an open top car ride along the 4km-long Chang’an Avenue near Tiananmen Square past the thousands of troops and military hardware, including rockets and missiles.
In his address to the parade, Xi Jinping insisted China would ‘never be intimidated by bullies.
‘History cautions us that humanity rises and falls together,’ he said, according to The Australian.
‘The Chinese nation is never intimidated by any bullies and always forges ahead.’
The subsequent 70-minute parade was an extraordinary display of Chinese military might, with a reported 10,000 troops from the People’s Liberation Army taking part.
President Xi was led on an open top car ride along the 4km-long Chang’an Avenue near Tiananmen Square past the thousands of troops and military hardware.
This included hypersonic missiles, stealth fighter jets, tanks and other weapons in China’s massive military arsenal.
The Communist leader waved at crowds holding Chinese flags.
The gathered world leaders were treated to a display of Chinese troops running through military exercises and drills.
This was followed by troops carrying guns while in parade uniform goose-stepping in time as military veterans saluted them.
The subsequent 70-minute parade was an extraordinary display of Chinese military might, with the full force of the People’s Liberation Army on display
The highly-choreographed event even included a display of fighter jets taking to the skies and flying in formation.
US President Donald Trump said he hoped that China acknowledged the US role in helping to defeat Japan at the end of the Second World War.
‘The big question to be answered is whether or not President Xi of China will mention the massive amount of support and “blood” that The United States of America gave to China in order to help it to secure its FREEDOM from a very unfriendly foreign invader,’ President Trump said on Truth Social.
‘Many Americans died in China’s quest for Victory and Glory. I hope that they are rightfully Honored and Remembered for their Bravery and Sacrifice!
‘May President Xi and the wonderful people of China have a great and lasting day of celebration.
‘Please give my warmest regards to Vladimir Putin, and Kim Jong-un, as you conspire against The United States of America.’
