Why wary world leaders are weighing up their RSVP to China's war anniversary parade

At least 50 world leaders are on the invitation list and it's expected to be an international spectacle but many are unlikely to attend because of the event's underlying nationalistic and anti-Japanese message, analysts and diplomats say.

China plans to hold a huge military parade in the heart of its capital on September 3, a day after the 70th anniversary of Japan's surrender in the second world war.

Renmin University international relations professor Shi Yinhong said the parade would serve many purposes, including the "diplomatic purpose of highlighting China's contribution during the anti-Japanese wars, and to show that China has become a very important post-war power".

Beijing has said the event is not aimed at any country but other observers said many Western leaders would be wary of being seen alongside President Xi Jinping at an event designed to boost nationalistic propaganda rather than to encourage reconciliation.

"There will be unease with being seen as playing a role in supporting Xi Jinping during a time in which … he has introduced much more assertive foreign policy than many had been anticipating," said Nick Bisley, a professor of international relations at La Trobe University in Australia.

So far, only Russian President Vladimir Putin and leaders from the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, which comprise mostly Central Asian countries, have confirmed that they will attend.