China’s Parade Fuels a Wave of Pride and Debate as Netizens Declare “The After‑Effect Is Overwhelming”

The sentiment behind the slogan erupted in the wake of a military parade that took place on September 3, a date that marks China’s Victory Day and, in the collective memory of many, recalls the grand procession of 2015 that celebrated the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II. While the exact year of the current showcase is a matter of some confusion—online references toggle between 2015 and the present 2025—the emotional resonance is unmistakable, and the flood of posts over the past few days underscores a nationwide surge of pride, excitement and, for, an almost addictive reverence for the spectacle.

A scrolling feed of Weibo entries is punctuated by exclamations of “骄傲转存！” (“proudly save and repost!”) and calls to “收藏起来” (“keep it for later”), a digital ritual that mirrors the way citizens traditionally saved newspaper clippings or souvenir postcards. Users are not just celebrating the visual grandeur of marching troops; they are clutching at the symbols of national resurgence that the parade represents. Descriptions of the reviewing units—“军容严整、意气风发” (“well‑disciplined and full of vigor”)—and of the armored columns—“整齐列阵、威风凛凛” (“neatly arrayed and majestic”)—read like reverent poetry, while the new launch vehicles and missile systems on display, notably “东风‑61” and “东风‑5C,” attract a particular thrill. Their inclusion signals to the public that China’s strategic capabilities are not just historical footnotes but alive, evolving, and poised for the future.

The phrase “后劲真的太大了” itself—literally “the after‑effect is really huge”—captures the lingering emotional lift many users report. One post summed it up as “能量满满的一周” (“an energetic week”), indicating that the surge of enthusiasm extends well beyond the minutes of the broadcast. The internet’s echo chamber quickly turned the parade into a playlist of repeat viewings: “没看够？完整版视频↓↓转存，循环播放！” (“Haven’t seen enough? Full‑length video below—save it and loop it!”) and “值得反复观看！” (“worth watching over and over!”) proliferated, as do hashtags urging people to share their “震撼瞬间” (“shocking moments”). Even jokes have entered the mix, with netizens quipping that they “戒断不了一点” (“can’t quit it at all”), suggesting a collective addiction to the patriotic high.

Beyond the optics, the chatter also hints at a nuanced public consciousness about information control and collective discipline. A handful of users highlighted that certain snapshots of the parade had been taken before the event but deliberately withheld until the official broadcast concluded—a nod to the tacit social contract that binds online discourse to the state’s timing. self‑imposed secrecy is lauded as a sign of respect for the ceremony, reinforcing an atmosphere in which civic pride dovetails neatly with compliance.

Human stories threaded through the posts add another layer of texture. Comments about the “训练生活是欢笑与汗水交织，偶尔有那么几滴泪水调剂” (“training life is a mix of laughter, sweat, and the occasional tear”) evoke an empathy for the soldiers who devoted months, often years, to perfect a routine that now commands worldwide attention. The “behind‑the‑scenes” moments—soldiers catching breath after a flawless formation, the quiet camaraderie in the barracks—have become cultural artifacts in their own right, according to users who label them “值得珍藏” (“worth treasuring”).

While the wave of positivity is unmistakable, the broader implications of the parade and its lingering echo reveal a complex interplay of politics, society and economics. From an international perspective, Beijing’s military exhibitions have long been read as a signal of strategic intent: a demonstration of hard power designed to assure allies, deter rivals and cement China’s claim to a leading role in shaping the post‑war international order. Xi Jinping’s remarks during the ceremony—asserting that China stands on “the right side of history”—are a direct ideological counterpoint to Western liberal narratives, a reminder that the parade is as much a diplomatic instrument as a domestic rally.

Domestically, the parade serves a dual purpose. It fuels a surge of national pride, reinforcing an identity anchored in collective achievement and military prowess. Simultaneously, it puts the country’s resource allocation under a subtle spotlight. Discussions emerging on social media and in independent commentary reference the phrase “阅兵花费背后：政治凌驾经济之上” (“behind the costs of the parade: politics trumps economics”). Critics point to pressing social challenges—rising youth unemployment, an aging population, labor disputes and the growing “躺平” (“lying flat”) movement—as areas where the state’s financial priorities might be questioned. The fact that netizens are both celebrating the spectacle and, in quieter corners, debating the trade‑off between military display and social welfare, illustrates a population capable of both fervent patriotism and measured scrutiny.

The reverberations also touch China’s industrial ecosystem. The showcase of cutting‑edge fighter jets, missile systems and naval vessels signals robust investment in the nation’s defense sector, which in turn fuels ancillary industries such as aerospace, precision engineering and high‑tech manufacturing. The parade’s emphasis on new technology could catalyze further state subsidies for research and development, potentially accelerating a spill‑over effect into civilian high‑tech sectors. Yet, the same focus raises concerns about “excess capacity” and “vicious price cuts” in other parts of the economy if resources continue to be disproportionately directed toward the military‑industrial complex.

A curious, almost humorous strand of discussion has also taken shape. One tongue‑in‑cheek post claimed that the parade’s “后劲” is so powerful that “世界开始学习中国话” (“the world is starting to learn Chinese”). While clearly satirical, it underscores a perception—born perhaps of both pride and a degree of bravado—that China’s cultural and political influence is expanding in tandem with its military showmanship.

Looking ahead, the persistence of the phrase “阅兵后劲真的太大了” suggests that the emotional high will continue to be invoked during future anniversaries, national holidays, and whenever the state chooses to project its might. As the phrase resurfaces, it will likely evolve, absorbing new layers of meaning—whether as a rallying cry for unity, a metric of government legitimacy, or a subtle barometer of public tolerance for the balance between national grandeur and everyday economic concerns.

In the end, what the Weibo frenzy illustrates is a strikingly human response to a state‑crafted event. The parade’s dazzling choreography, its roar of engines, the precise steps of millions of boots—these are the components of a performance designed to leave an indelible imprint on the national psyche. The phrase “后劲真的太大了” does more than describe a lingering adrenaline rush; it encapsulates the way a nation can be collectively uplifted, momentarily united, and reminded—through spectacle—that its story, and its aspirations, are still being written on a global stage.