Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: People's Republic of China in Russian – People's Republic of China in Russian –
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Source: People's Republic of China – State Council News
Moscow, January 1 (Xinhua) — The year 2025 marked the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, the Soviet Union's victory in the Great Patriotic War, and the victory in the World Anti-Fascist War. The decision by the leaders of China and Russia to jointly commemorate these historic dates was not only a symbol of friendship but also a manifestation of the highest level of bilateral relations. China and Russia, whose peoples made a decisive contribution to the victory over fascism and militarism, supported each other in holding commemorative events. This further strengthened bilateral ties and demonstrated to the world the commitment of China and Russia to carefully preserve and defend the historical truth about the war, continuously deepen strategic cooperation, and uphold international justice.
A COMMON VICTORY – A COMMON CELEBRATION
At the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping paid a state visit to Russia from May 7 to 10, 2025. He participated in the ceremonies commemorating the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War and served as the chief guest of honor. On Victory Day, May 9, during the military parade on Red Square in Moscow, Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin sat side by side on the podium, surrounded by veterans, foreign leaders, and other guests. Among 13 foreign parade units, the honor guard of the People's Liberation Army of China marched in precise formation across Red Square.
From August 31 to September 3, the Russian leader paid a return visit to China. At the invitation of the Chinese President, he visited Tianjin, where the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit was held, and participated in celebrations in Beijing marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. This time, from the podium in Tiananmen Square, the leaders of China and Russia, along with the heads of more than 20 states, observed a massive military parade.
Many commentators have called this exchange of high-level visits "historic." According to Nikita Stepanov, a member of the central board of the Russian-Chinese Friendship Society (RCFS) and head of the Russia-China section of the International Public Commission under the Council of Veterans of Russia, the exchange of visits and the joint participation of Russian and Chinese leaders in commemorative events in Moscow and Beijing are not only a tribute to historical memory but also an important stage in the development of strategic partnership.
"These actions enhance mutual trust, strengthen unity of positions on fundamental issues, and create a solid platform for sustainable and comprehensive cooperation that meets the interests of both countries and ensures their role as key players on the global stage," the Russian expert noted in an interview with Xinhua.
According to N. Stepanov, Russia and China's decision to jointly celebrate the 80th anniversary of Victory Day demonstrates the high level of trust and mutual understanding between the two largest Eurasian powers. "Russia and China see each other not only as economic and political partners, but also as allies in shaping a multipolar world, where historical memory is becoming a factor of consolidation. This decision underscores the countries' readiness to jointly participate in global processes and influence the international balance of power," the member of the ORCD Central Board emphasized.
HISTORICAL MEMORY UNITES COUNTRIES AND SERVES AS A BRIDGE OF FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN PEOPLES
"Lessons from the Past for the Future"—that's how Chinese President Xi Jinping titled his opinion piece, published in Rossiyskaya Gazeta ahead of his visit to Moscow. In it, the Chinese leader emphasized that, as the main theaters of war in Asia and Europe, China and the Soviet Union bore the brunt of militaristic Japan and Nazi Germany and made a decisive contribution to Victory in the World Anti-Fascist War. "Together with the heroic Russian people, we honor the memory of the past and bow our heads low before the fallen heroes," the article stated.
Xi Jinping also noted that the profound friendship forged by the blood of the two peoples in the World Anti-Fascist War provides an inexhaustible source of energy for transmitting the profound sense of mutual sympathy between China and Russia from generation to generation. "The World Anti-Fascist War testified to the brotherhood in arms, mutual assistance, and support of the peoples of China and Russia," he added.
In a written interview with Xinhua on the eve of his trip to China, Vladimir Putin emphasized that the peoples of the Soviet Union and China bore the brunt of the fighting and suffered the heaviest and greatest human losses. "It was the citizens of our countries who bore the brunt of the struggle against the invaders and played a key role in the victory over Nazism and militarism. The harsh trials clearly demonstrated and strengthened the best traditions of friendship and mutual assistance, which serve as a solid foundation for modern Russian-Chinese relations," the Russian president stated, emphasizing that Russia will never forget that China's heroic resistance was one of the decisive factors preventing Japan from attacking the Soviet Union in 1941-1942. The Russian leader also thanked China for carefully preserving memorials to the Red Army soldiers who gave their lives in the battles for China's liberation.
As N. Stepanov noted, the statements by the leaders of China and Russia demonstrate that the victory over fascism and militarism is a key fact in the history of both countries. "The leaders emphasized the importance of preserving the historical truth and resisting attempts to distort the events of the war. This is not just a symbolic gesture, but an indicator of a coordinated foreign policy aimed against the 'rewriting of history,' which is of great importance for both countries today in the context of global ideological and political challenges," the expert emphasized.
Descendants of veterans who aided China during the war, including those from Russia, were invited to the celebrations in Beijing. According to N. Stepanov, inviting relatives of Russian veterans is not only a sign of respect for the past and recognition of the role of Russia and its people in Chinese history, but also an important element in building trust and solidarity in the present and future of Russian-Chinese relations.
"Inviting the descendants of veterans promotes interethnic dialogue, strengthens humanitarian ties, and promotes mutual understanding between the peoples of Russia and China. This expands the scope of cooperation beyond politics and economics and strengthens feelings of belonging and friendship," the Russian expert noted, adding that shared historical memory unites the countries, serves as a bridge of friendship between peoples, and emphasizes the importance of intergenerational continuity in developing bilateral cooperation.
REMEMBER THE PAST, STRIVE FOR THE FUTURE
"The brotherhood in arms and traditions of mutual assistance between the peoples of the two countries, forged during the Second World War, laid a solid foundation for the Russian-Chinese relations of comprehensive partnership and strategic interaction," reads the joint statement between Russia and China on further deepening the relations of comprehensive partnership and strategic interaction in the new era, which was signed following talks between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow.
The document outlines the two countries' consolidated position on upholding the results of Victory in World War II, suppressing attempts to falsify its history and deny the historical contribution of Russia and China to Victory in World War II, and also notes that there is no alternative to the formation of a more just and sustainable multipolar world order.
According to N. Stepanov, such consolidation facilitates the development of coordinated approaches to key international issues, be they security, economic integration, or cultural and humanitarian cooperation. "The position of Russia and China as countries that defend not only their historical memory but also the principles of international law symbolizes their readiness to work together to ensure global security, counter destabilizing factors, and strengthen multilateral cooperation in international organizations," the Russian expert noted. He added that the joint celebration of the 80th anniversary of Victory Day was not only symbolic but also a practical step in strengthening strategic cooperation between Russia and China, as well as an important signal of maintaining peace and stability in the international arena.
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