With pomp, pageantry and patriotism, China presents itself as a global superpower. Will the "China model" be its next big export to the world? https://p.dw.com/p/4zw5b Chinese President Xi Jinping holds up a wine glass while standing at a podium with red flowers during the Victory Day parade in Beijing, China Xi Jinping's 'China Model' aims to dethrone the United States as a global superpowerImage: JADE GAO/AFP/Getty Images ADVERTISEMENT Thousands of soldiers marching in tight formations, state-of-the-art weapon systems — including intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), rocket launchers, and battle tanks — and above all, Chinese President Xi Jinping projecting power standing in a grandstand above the iconic portrait of the founder of the People's Republic, Mao Zedong, on Tiananmen Square in Beijing. These images are circulating around the world on Wednesday. Twenty-six heads of state and government from Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America attended the parade. From Europe, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic were present in the Chinese capital. It sends out a clear signal that China wants to dictate the rules in a future world order. "In autocracies, military parades like this are one of the tools used to demonstrate perceived or actual strength," said Eberhard Sandschneider, professor emeritus of political science at the Free University of Berlin and partner at the consulting firm Berlin Global Advisors. "Driven by its economic boom, China is in the process of expanding its international role. Under President Xi Jinping, this process has gained significant momentum once again." Xi, 72, has a clear vision: By 2049, the 100th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic, China must become a "modern socialist country that is prosperous, strong, democratic, civilized, and harmonious." Projections by various renowned consulting firms show that the Asian giant could replace the US as the world's largest economy within 15 years. Russia's President Vladimir Putin walks with China's President Xi Jinping, North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un and Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif before a military paradeRussia's President Vladimir Putin walks with China's President Xi Jinping, North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un and Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif before a military parade