While global eyes were on missiles & VIPs at China’s Victory Parade, a smaller detail stood out: Xi Jinping’s microphones. What they symbolize says something interesting about power, image, and insecurity.

The tradition dates back to Mao Zedong. Early tech was unreliable, so multiple mics created a powerful buzzing presence. The lineup of mics wasn’t just functional — it projected authority.

Contrast this with democracies: leaders typically use 1 or 2 almost invisible mics (in case one of them fails). In China (and North Korea), the visible cluster of microphones underscores that only one voice matters.

During the parade, President Xi spoke into 4 microphones when on the car inspecting troops and 5 microphones when delivering speech from the walls of the Forbidden City. 

Ironically, despite the visible switch to domestic technologies: from cars to missiles, the Chinese leader seems to be still partly relying on German equipment: in this case, Sennheiser MD 441. 

This need to use an unnecessary number of mics may hint at some hidden vulnerabilities. For instance, the lack of confidence in internal power balance and the need to establish extra visual ties to Mao Zedong. 

It may also be designed to serve as an extra tool to amplify the voice of China’s leader — something they may believe is not heard enough. 

In short: the mics are not just hardware. They’re political theater, amplifying Xi’s voice while hinting at Beijing’s insecurities.

The comment is written by CBA Initiatives Center Analysts