'They were hoping I was watching': Trump on Beijing parade with Xi, Putin, Kim; calls it 'impressive but calculated'

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday reacted to a major military parade in Beijing, saying Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping “were hoping I was watching” their joint appearance.

“I thought it was very very impressive, but I understood the reason they were doing it. And they were hoping I was watching — and I was watching,” Trump said, as quoted by The New York Post, describing the display as a calculated show of strength.

The event marked the 80th anniversary of Japan’s defeat in World War II and featured Xi and Putin alongside North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko. China used the parade to showcase its massive military power to the world.

Trump touts ‘very good’ ties with China, Russia, India

Speaking after the ceremony, Trump said his relationships with China, Russia and India were “very good,” but added, “we’re going to find out how good it is over the next week or two.”

Asked whether he had been invited to attend the Beijing parade, Trump said he would not have gone even if he had. “It wouldn’t have been my place,” he said.

Earlier during the week, Trump criticised Xi for failing to acknowledge the United States’ role in World War II. “I watched [Xi’s] speech last night. President Xi is a friend of mine, but I thought that the United States should have been mentioned last night during that speech, because we helped China very much,” he said.

Trump also took to social media with a sharper message: “Please give my warmest regards to Vladimir Putin, and Kim Jong Un, as you conspire against The United States of America. PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP.”