Official website of the President of Russia

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President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Mr President, dear friend, dear Chinese friends.

It is a great pleasure to welcome all of you to Moscow.

I am truly delighted to see you again and sincerely value the opportunity to speak with you personally. I am grateful that, just as you did ten years ago for the previous anniversary, you have chosen to join us in commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Great Victory, which our nation holds sacred.

Tomorrow, the official parade will take place on Red Square featuring servicemen of the People’s Liberation Army of China. As far as I know, this is the largest foreign military contingent to take part in the event.

The victory over fascism, achieved through immense sacrifice, holds enduring significance. Together with our Chinese friends, we are committed to upholding historical truth, honouring the memory of the war years, and standing against the resurgence of neo-Nazism and militarism today.

I would like to express my gratitude for your invitation to the commemorative events marking the 80th anniversary of victory over militarist Japan and the end of World War II. I will be delighted to pay an official visit to friendly China on this historic occasion. And prior to that, our delegation will participate in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit to be held under China’s chairmanship.

The military brotherhood forged between our nations during those difficult wartime years remains a cornerstone of today’s comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation between Russia and China. We expand our collaboration for the benefit of both nations; our efforts are not directed against any third party.

Our relations are based on equality and mutual benefit, and remain unaffected by momentary interests. Our willingness to foster neighbourliness, strengthen our friendship, and expand cooperation reflects the two countries’ choice driven by our strategic cooperation.

I would like to once again note that our governments, ministries, and agencies are striving to implement a full range of practical agreements within a multilateral mechanism of regular meetings. Those include a plan for comprehensive economic cooperation through 2030.

Mr President, my dear friend, thank you very much once again for today’s visit. This holds great significance to us.

The immeasurable losses borne by both our nations demand perpetual remembrance. The Soviet Union lost 27 million lives, sacrificing them at the altar of the Fatherland and the altar of Victory. China gave 37 million lives in its struggle for freedom and independence. This victory was achieved under the leadership of the Communist Party.

We are delighted to see you at the festivities. I am certain that we will use this time to exchange opinions on the entire scope of our relations.

Thank you.

President of China Xi Jinping (retranslated): Mr President, my dear friend, Russian ministers.

I am happy to visit Russia once again at the invitation of my friend Vladimir Putin, and attend the celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of Victory of the Soviet Union in the Great Patriotic War.

Earlier this year, we held a meeting via videoconference and had a telephone conversation. Together, we planned to further develop China-Russia relations. Under our mutual strategic leadership, our countries are reinforcing their political mutual trust and expanding practical cooperation, intensifying cultural and humanitarian exchanges and interregional ties, which demonstrates a more consistent, stable and steady dynamic in our bilateral relations in this new era.

Past history and present reality convincingly demonstrate that the sustained development and expansion of China-Russia relations are imperative for maintaining our nations’ centuries-long friendship, and represent a strong commitment to our countries’ success, prosperity and revival. They remain crucial for the ongoing endeavours to uphold international justice and promote global governance reform.

This year, we also celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Chinese people’s victory in the war against Japanese aggressors, the Soviet Union’s Victory in the Great Patriotic War, and victory in the world’s fight against fascism.

Eighty years ago, at the cost of heavy losses, the Chinese and Russian peoples achieved Great Victory, making an indelible and historic contribution to peace across the world and human progress.

Today, as we are facing negative trends and unilateral actions and the dictate of force in the world, China is ready to join Russia in carrying special responsibility, as major global powers and permanent members of the UN Security Council, and dutifully and courageously defend the truth about World War II history, safeguarding the authority and positions of the United Nations, resolutely protecting the interests and rights of our states and all developing countries, building together an equal and structured multipolar world order, and achieving an inclusive, generally accessible economic globalisation.

Thank you.

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