Joint V-day celebrations will enhance mutual understanding between Russia, China - Putin
MOSCOW. Nov 6 (Interfax) - Russian President Vladimir Putin has confirmed plans to attend, along with Chinese President Xi Jinping, the events marking the 70th anniversary since the end of the Second World War, and said that both countries' leaders are against falsification of history and a return to the global ideological confrontation.
"Today, Russia and China are interested in enhancing global stability and developing broad cooperation on the basis of the international law and the key role of the UN. We oppose the return to the ideological confrontation in world affairs and strongly condemn any attempts to falsify the history of the World War II," Putin said in an interview with Chinese media outlets ahead of his visit to China which is hosting an APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) summit.
He recalled that during his talks with Xi in Shanghai in May this year the two leaders agreed to jointly celebrate the commemorative dates - the 70th anniversary of the Victory in the 1941-1945 Great Patriotic War in Russia on May 9, 2015, and the 70th anniversary of the end of the Second World War and "the victory of Chinese people, who forced out the invaders" in Beijing on September 3.
"I am sure that the oncoming celebration of the Victory's anniversary in Russia and in China will enhance bilateral understanding and cooperation ever more," Putin said
"Our countries have withstood the severe test with honour and borne the brunt of resistance against the aggressors. At the concluding stage of the war, tens of thousands of our compatriots sacrificed their lives for the liberation of the Northeast China. I would like to thank our Chinese friends for their careful attitude towards the memory of heroes, the bed-of-honours, the war memorials," the Russian president said.