Exemplary of the sinophobic faction of German media, German tabloid Bild reported about the celebrations and the parade in Beijing under the headline: “Three Dictators—A Front Against Democracy.” The headline is taken from the namesake book by former revolutionary communist turned anti-communist, Adrian Geiges. Der Spiegel explains that Xi “has invited autocrats from all over the world.”
Le Monde, France’s newspaper of record, was more sober: “Xi Jinping’s Demonstration Of Strength, Leading a China Ready To Fight.” Italy’s Corriere della Sera titled its story: “Xi Jinping and the Impressive Military Parade with Putin and Kim: ‘China Is Unstoppable’—And He Warns the World and the U.S.”
Although EU ambassadors boycotted the parade, a few European politicians went as private citizens, such as former Italian Prime Minister Massimo d’Alema and former Swiss President Ueli Maurer. Others may have attended as well.
