Former prime ministers attend military parade in Beijing

Wednesday 3 September 2025 · 6 outlets · 10 reports · updated Thu 4 Sep 2025, 8:49am

In this story Xi Jinping, John Key, Helen Clark, Vladimir Putin

Helen Clark and John Key attended a military parade in Beijing to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. The former prime ministers appeared alongside leaders including Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin, and Kim Jong Un. Clark described her decision to attend the event as a "line call."

How they headlined it

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Wed 9:50am3:29pm6pm7:15pmThu 8:49am

1. NewsroomWed 3 Sep 2025, 9:50am

   Clark and Key's China visit sends wrong message (opens in new tab)

2. RNZWed 3 Sep 2025, 2:09pm

   Helen Clark, John Key at China military parade along with Putin, Kim (opens in new tab)

   • 'A relief' not to meet Putin or Kim at WWII commemoration in China, Helen Clark says (opens in new tab) Thu 4 Sep 2025, 6:26am
3. Otago Daily TimesWed 3 Sep 2025, 2:44pm

   'Wrong message': Clark, Key at China's military parade (opens in new tab)

   • Academics at odds over Clark, Key’s Beijing visit (opens in new tab) Thu 4 Sep 2025, 4:30am
   • Clark: 'Relief' not to meet Putin or Kim at China parade (opens in new tab) Thu 4 Sep 2025, 8:49am
4. NZ HeraldWed 3 Sep 2025, 3:29pm

   Helen Clark, Sir John Key at China military parade along with Putin, Kim (opens in new tab)

5. StuffWed 3 Sep 2025, 6:00pm

   Why John Key and Helen Clark attended Xi Jinping’s military parade (opens in new tab)

   • Former PM Helen Clark says attending China’s military parade wasn’t an easy call (opens in new tab) Wed 3 Sep 2025, 7:15pm
6. The Press via The PostWed 3 Sep 2025, 6:18pm

   Clark, Key meet Xi at parade of missiles and troops in Beijing (opens in new tab)