Security measures have been ramped up in Beijing as the city prepares for a major military parade to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II and China’s fight against Japan's wartime aggressions.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin are among the 26 world leaders who will join Chinese President Xi Jinping to watch Wednesday’s massive parade.

The event could potentially demonstrate three-way unity against the United States.

It's set to be Kim’s first time attending a major multilateral event during his 14-year rule, and the first time Kim, Xi and Putin, all key challengers of the U.S., have gathered at the same venue.

None of the three countries have confirmed a private trilateral leaders' meeting.

China's missiles, fighter jets and other military hardware — some on public view for the first time — are being displayed in the nation's capital.

Troops will march in lockstep by Xi , who leads the long-ruling Communist Party and heads the military as the chairman of the Central Military Commission.

Xi will deliver a speech at the event which will be tightly controlled, with most people watching on television or online.

It's the first major military parade in China since 2019 on the 70th anniversary of the founding of communist China.

This week's commemorates the end of WWII, a conflict that devastated China.

The parade aims to instill pride in the populace and assure them that the country is strong enough to ward off any attack.

But China's growing military strength also concerns its Asian neighbors and the United States.

AP video shot by: Tian Macleod Ji