US President took issue with the United States not being specifically acknowledged during China’s recent military parade to mark 80th anniversary of the end of World War 2.
Trump called the ceremony at the summit hosted by China "very, very impressive" and "beautiful," and that Chinese Leader Xi Jinping, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin "were hoping I was watching."
He said he felt the United States was slighted by China by not getting more of an acknowledgment for its role in winning World War II. China held a parade to recognise the 80th anniversary of the war ending.
“And I don't believe that — and maybe I'm wrong, I hope I'm wrong — but I don't believe that America, that the United States, was acknowledged for helping China to get — to gain its freedom, but perhaps I was just a — that was a sleight of hand. I mean, I was very — I was very surprised. I watched the 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, very much,” Trump said.
But did the United States really help that much? Turns out, its role was significant.
The United States officially joined the Second World War in 1941, about two years after it had begun. Soon after, it came to China’s aid after Japan’s brutal invasion of its eastern regions.
The US gave China $1.6 billion in Lend-Lease aid during World War II, including weapons, vehicles, food, and advisers, despite clashes between Nationalists and Communists.
The legendary Flying Tigers — 300 American pilots and crew — destroyed nearly 300 Japanese planes, playing a vital role in defending China against Japan.
On Wednesday, Xi thanked “the foreign governments and international friends who supported and assisted the Chinese people”, but did not specifically credit the United States.
Underwater drones, massive missiles and laser weapons dazzled crowds on Wednesday at a major military parade in Beijing, a show of strength for China as frictions with Washington simmer.
Military experts have been closely eyeing the event, attended by several key foreign leaders including Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
During a speech ahead of the parade to mark 80 years since China's victory over Japan in World War II, President Xi Jinping hailed his country as "unstoppable".
The country's latest military hardware then rolled past cheering crowds gathered at Tiananmen Square in central Beijing as jubilant music rang out.
