On May 9, 2010, the 65th anniversary celebration of victory in Russia’s Great Patriotic War was held grandly in Moscow. Chinese President Hu Jintao and leaders of more than 20 countries attended the celebration to commemorate the great historic event together with the Russian people.
Moscow in May was surrounded by luxuriant vegetation and decorated with flying flags, showing a strong festive atmosphere. From 9:00 local time, President Hu and other national leaders started arriving at Kremlin, shaking hands cordially with Russian President Medvedev who was waiting there. Then Hu and other VIPs went to the Red Square and took their seats at the reviewing stand.
At 10:00 the celebration kicked off. Medvedev first of all delivered a speech, saying that 65 years ago the Soviet army and civilians fought bloody battles against and defeated the German fascist aggressors and achieved victory in the Great Patriotic War. Today, all countries should bear in mind the lessons of the Second World War, view history correctly, strengthen solidarity and collaboration, adhere to good-neighborly friendship and maintain world peace jointly.
After Medvedev made his speech, a military band played the Russian national anthem and a salute was fired on the Red Square.
The grand military parade then started. Amidst the majestic martial music, the military square array holding Russia’s national flag, the flag of victory in the Great Patriotic War and the flag of Russia's armed forces marched in step in the Red Square and passed the reviewing stand. During the historical part of the parade, military officers and soldiers of land, navy and air forces dressed in the military uniform and holding the weapons of the Great Patriotic War passed in review in high spirits. Britain, the United States, France and CIS also participated in the historical part of the parade. During the modern part, the square arrays of Russia’s land, navy and air forces, strategic missile forces, space forces, airborne forces, military academies and officers and soldiers of other military branches accepted the review respectively, displaying the style of contemporary Russian armed forces. The weapons used in the Great Patriotic War as well as modern Russian weapons were also shown in the parade. More than 100 warplanes of the Russian air forces flew over the Red Square. The parade participated by over 10,000 servicemen ended after the military band played the "Victory Day" music.
When attending the celebration, Hu stressed that today’s peace is hard won and deserves to be cherished. We should bear in mind the history when creating the future, build and practice the new security concept, increase mutual trust, take care of each other’s interest, insist on friendly consultations, respect civilization diversity and seek cooperation and development jointly.
After the parade came to the end, Hu and other national leaders left the Red Square for the tomb of unknown soldiers, presented flowers to the tomb and stood in silent mourning.
Later, the national leaders took group photos.
They then attended the banquet celebrating the 65th anniversary of victory in the Great Patriotic War hosted by Medvedev at noon.
Ling Jihua, Wang Huning and Dai Bingguo were present at the activities.