MOSCOW: Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived here on Wednesday to pay a state visit to Russia and attend the celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Soviet Union’s Great Patriotic War.
This visit marks Xi’s 11th trip to Russia since he became Chinese president. The two heads of state have met more than 40 times on different occasions over the years. Their close communication provides strategic guidance, under which China-Russia relations have matured into a resilient and stable partnership, according to Xinhua News Agency.
In a signed article published on Wednesday in the Russian Gazette newspaper ahead of his state visit, President Xi urged the international community to uphold the correct view of the history of World War II (WWII), firmly safeguard the post-war international order, and resolutely defend international fairness and justice.
Xi noted that China and the Soviet Union stood as the backbone in the fight against Japanese militarism and German Nazism, making decisive contributions to the victory in the World Anti-Fascist War, according to the Xinhua News Agency.
Today, eight decades later, unilateralism, hegemony and acts of bullying are inflicting severe harm, and humanity once again stands at a crossroads – between unity or division, dialogue or confrontation, win-win or zero-sum, he added, per Xinhua.
The world must take history as a mirror, draw wisdom and strength from the profound lessons of WWII and the great victory in the World Anti-Fascist War, resolutely oppose all forms of hegemonism and power politics, and jointly create a brighter future for humanity, Xi said.
In a written statement sent to the Global Times on Wednesday, Russian Ambassador to China Igor Morgulov said “in May 2025, our country will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War. This date, symbolizing the unity of the people, its strength of spirit and resilience, holds special meaning for every Russian.”
The ambassador wrote that Russia and China, which hold similar views on the causes, course and results of WWII, hold a united front against attempts to falsify history and glorify Nazis, militarists and their accomplices.
He described President Xi’s visit to Moscow “a manifestation of the solidarity of the Russian and Chinese peoples in protecting historical memory.” The commemoration marking the 80th anniversary of the Great Patriotic War will be held on May 9 in Moscow.
Global Times reporters observed on the streets of the Russian capital that Moscow has already entered a “Victory Day” mood, with symbols of victory visible throughout the streets and a solemn, festive air surrounding Red Square. –Agencies
In the Alexander Garden, located northwest of Red Square and adjacent to the Kremlin’s red walls, the pentagonal star-shaped torch at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is particularly striking. Since its establishment, the flame at the center of the star-shaped base of this monument has burned continuously for over half a century.
