AFP Photos Shape Global Narrative of China’s 80th‑Anniversary Victory Parade】

Images released by the Agence France-Presse—known in Mandarin as “法新社出图,” or “AFP photos”—have quickly become a touchstone for how the parade is being understood both inside and outside China. The agency’s photographers captured a tableau of leaders, hardware and choreography that soon circulated across social media, newsrooms and think‑tank briefings, prompting analysts to compare AFP’s visual narrative with that of domestic outlets such as Xinhua.

The parade, held on September 3, 2025, featured a staggering array of military assets, from amphibious assault vehicles and next‑generation anti‑ship missiles to unmanned underwater drones and advanced air‑defence systems. Thousands of troops marched in perfect formation, and a cluster of foreign dignitaries took their places beside Chinese President Xi Jinping on the reviewing stand. Russia’s President Vladimir Putin, North Korea’s supreme leader Kim Jong Un and several other heads of state were seated to Xi’s left and right, a composition that underscored Beijing’s ambition to project a united front amid shifting global alliances.

AFP’s lenses were there to document every moment, but what set its coverage apart was the emphasis on the human element amid the hardware. One widely shared image shows a young PLA cadet holding a red‑flagged banner, his eyes fixed forward as a massive intercontinental ballistic missile looms in the background. Another shot captures Putin and Xi exchanging a brief, almost informal handshake, while Kim Jong Un’s presence is highlighted by a close‑up of his distinct black jacket against the sea of Chinese flags. These frames have been dissected on Weibo, Twitter and the comment sections of mainstream outlets, with users praising the “raw” feel of AFP’s work while also noting that Xinhua’s releases, which often spotlight the sheer scale of the equipment, present a more “spectacular” narrative.

Chinese netizens have taken to the hashtag #AFPParadePhotos to voice both admiration and critique. A wave of comments lauds the “vividness” of the AFP images, suggesting they bring an “international journalistic” perspective that differs from the more polished, state‑curated visuals distributed by Xinhua. Meanwhile, some commentators argue that AFP’s focus on the leaders’ interactions—especially the seating arrangement that placed Putin and Kim between Xi and his vice‑president—highlights the political symbolism of the event more than the display of firepower.

Beyond the parade, the surge of “法新社出图” mentions reflects AFP’s broader role as a global visual news source. Earlier in the week, the agency posted images of French President Emmanuel Macron’s remarks on European security guarantees for Ukraine, a cable‑car derailment in Lisbon that claimed 15 lives, and a briefing by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Paris that underscored the ongoing stalemate with Russia. These stories, while disparate, share a common thread: AFP’s photographs often become the first visual point of reference for audiences worldwide, shaping narratives as quickly as headlines do.

AFP’s influence is not limited to the present moment. The agency has long been recognized for its ability to identify and amplify significant political figures. In 2015, it named German Chancellor Angela Merkel its most influential person, citing her management of the European refugee crisis and the Greek debt stalemate. In recent months, AFP has also been at the forefront of reporting on succession dynamics in North Korea, publishing rare images of Kim Ju‑ae, the daughter of Kim Jong Un, stepping into public view—a sign that the agency’s reach extends into the often opaque corridors of power.

The visual documentation of China’s September parade thus serves as a microcosm of AFP’s global relevance. By delivering high‑resolution, on‑the‑ground images that capture both the grandeur of military hardware and the subtleties of diplomatic choreography, AFP allows observers to parse the event beyond the official narratives. Its photographs have become a de facto lingua franca for analysts comparing Beijing’s display of strength with similar spectacles in Russia, the United States and beyond.

As the dust settles on the Tiananmen Square grounds, the images released by “法新社出图” will continue to circulate, informing not only the public’s perception of China’s military ambitions but also the broader discourse on how visual media shapes geopolitical storytelling. Whether shared in a state‑run news feed or a viral tweet, these AFP photos remind us that in today’s information age, the power of a picture can be as consequential as the power of the weapons it depicts.