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Chinese President Xi Jinping (front left) and Russia's President Vladimir Putin (front right) attend the gala marking the 70th Anniversary of the Victory of Chinese People's Resistance against Japanese Aggression and World Anti-Fascist War at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Photo: EPA
ChinaPolitics

Putin the Great: Russian leader shows his ‘emperor’ form at Beijing’s grand military parade

Vladimir Putin
Andrea Chen
Why you can trust SCMP

A murmur ran through the crowd when two huge screens along Changan Avenue showed Russian President Vladimir Putin walking down the red carpet.

“Putin the Great, finally,” a reporter jokingly said as the crowd was muffled by the whir of camera shutters.

Putin was arranged to be the last state leader to walk the red carpet. President Xi Jinping greeted his “old friend” with a big smile, before the two shook hands and walked abreast towards the Tiananmen rostrum.

Russian President Vladimir Putin (left) and Chinese President Xi Jinping (right) observe a parade commemorating the 70th anniversary of Japan's World War II defeat, from Tiananmen Gate in Beijing. Photo: AP
They were also spotted standing on the rostrum exchanging views during the military parade, while Korean President Park Geun-hye remained seated aside. Her attendance in spite of Western pressure was equally, if not more, important for Beijing.

China’s fascination with Putin goes beyond his role as state leader. When he stood up to applaud the Russian troops, who made up the last formation of foreign soldiers to walk across Tiananmen, the crowd also burst into applause.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (centre), Russian President Vladimir Putin (left) and President of the Republic of Korea Park Geun-hye (right) arrive at the Tiananmen Rostrum. Photo: Xinhua
Ordinary Chinese are impressed with his masculinity, talents and his firm stance against his opponents, including Western countries – qualities that according to traditional Chinese values make someone a strong leader: like an emperor.

Photos of him driving tanks, riding horses, practicing judo and hunting are widely circulated on mainland social media. Following his popularity in Russia, the term that “if you are getting married, marry someone like Putin” has also become a catch-phrase on Weibo.

One other thing Chinese people like about the 62-year-old president is his fitness. “Look at how his suit fits, especially the waistline,” a mainland photographer said as he took photos of the rostrum.

“Such a contrast with his neighbour, who is fond of buns.”

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