On May 8, 2010, Chinese President Hu Jintao met in Moscow with the representatives of Russian veterans participating in the combat of northeast battlefield of the Chinese people’s war against Japanese aggression. Hu stressed that the friendship forged by the Chinese and the Russian people with blood and life during the anti-fascist war builds a solid foundation for the China-Russia strategic partnership of cooperation and for the China-Russia friendship from generation to generation as well. The Chinese and the Russian people should take the history as a mirror to guide the future, strengthen strategic cooperation and stand side by side with the people of all countries in the world to make relentless efforts to build a harmonious world with lasting peace and common prosperity.
On the afternoon, Hu met cordially in the hotel with 20 representatives of Russian veterans among whom there were president of the Russian Academy of Military Sciences Gareyev, the first vice chairman of the Russia-China Friendship Association and chairman of the China sub-committee of all-Russia veterans committee Ivanov as well as member of the Russia-China Friendship Association and vice chairman of the China sub-committee of all-Russia veterans committee and member of the China sub-committee of all-Russia veterans committee. Hu once met with 10 of the representatives in Moscow 5 years ago. The old and new friends felt extremely excited to meet with each other today. Hu issued the Peace medals and certificates to the participating veterans, shook hands with them one after another and took group pictures with all of them.
He delivered an important speech during the meeting and pointed out that the Second World War which broke out over 70 years ago brought unprecedented disaster to world peace. People throughout the world shared bitter hatred against and jointly resisted the fascist aggressors in order to defend world peace. Fighting bloody battles, the Soviet soldiers and civilians not only safeguarded their national sovereignty and dignity but also made indelible historic contributions to the victory of world anti-fascist war. Meanwhile, on the main battlefield of the Second World War in Asia Pacific, the Chinese people struggled arduously against the Japanese invaders for 8 years, gave a heavy blow to the Japanese aggressors with indomitable resistance and unyielding fight, crushed the attempt of Japanese militarism to dominate Asia and made an outstanding contribution to the victory of world anti-fascist war. The Chinese people think highly of the critical role of the Soviet forces and civilians in the world anti-fascist war.
We will never forget that in this extremely cruel contest a large number of Soviet Red Army including the veterans present today left their motherland for China’s northeast battlefield to fight the Japanese aggressors shoulder to shoulder with the Chinese army and civilians and made an important contribution to the eventual victory of the Chinese people’s war against Japanese invasion, stressed Hu.
He emphasized that we should advocate a correct view of history and the new security concept of mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality and coordination under the current fluctuating and complex international situation, cooperate closely in international affairs and jointly maintain regional and world peace. (See another article on the full text of the speech)
During the meeting, the veterans excitedly recalled the unforgettable experience of fighting side by side with the Chinese soldiers and civilians against the Japanese invaders in the northeast battlefield of China. Making a speech, Gareyev thanked President Hu for his deep friendship with the Russian veterans and extended festal congratulations on behalf of the Russian veterans to the Chinese veterans. He noted that the Soviet and the Chinese people assumed the heavy responsibility of fighting the aggressors during the world anti-fascist war, paid a huge sacrifice and made an outstanding contribution to the final victory. On the main battlefield in Asia Pacific, the Chinese soldiers and civilians resisted the Japanese aggressors bravely and prevented the Japanese attack on the Soviet Union effectively. The Russian and the Chinese people should carry forward the traditional friendship, constantly expand and consolidate cooperation and play an important role of safeguarding world peace.
Hu presented to the veterans albums comparing part of cities of northeast China today and in the old days when the Soviet Red Army participated in the battles there. The Russian veterans presented books and picture albums to Hu on the history of World War II.
Ling Jihua, Wang Huning and Dai Bingguo were also present at the meeting.