Q: China announced that President Xi Jinping will pay a state visit to Russia and attend the celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War of the Soviet Union. Could you share with us the program of the trip and China’s expectation regarding advancing its ties with Russia?

A: In today’s world, unprecedented global changes are unfolding at a faster pace, and the international order is undergoing profound adjustments. With a historic vision and from a strategic height, President Xi and President Putin have guided China-Russia relations in the new era to always forge ahead despite a complex external environment and demonstrate the relations’ defining features of everlasting good-neighborliness and friendship, comprehensive strategic coordination and mutual benefit, cooperation and win-win.

During his state visit to Russia upon invitation, President Xi will have strategic communication with President Putin on China-Russia relations under new circumstances and on a series of major international and regional issues. We believe the important common understandings between the two presidents will further deepen political mutual trust between the two countries, add new substance to strategic coordination, promote practical cooperation in various fields, bring more benefits to the two peoples, and contribute more stability and positive energy to the international community.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, the Great Patriotic War of the Soviet Union and the World Anti-Fascist War. As the two main theaters of Asia and Europe in World War II, China and Russia made immense sacrifice and major, historic contributions to secure the victory in the World Anti-Fascist War and save their respective nations from demise and the future of mankind. President Xi and President Putin previously agreed that the two sides will jointly remember history, honor the martyrs, foster a right view of the World War II history and defend the outcomes of the victory of the war and the post-war international order, and uphold international fairness and justice. At this special historic juncture, President Xi Jinping’s attendance at the celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War of the Soviet Union in Moscow upon invitation is an important part of his visit. It is also reflective of China and Russia’s support to each other’s commemorations of the 80th anniversary of the victory in the World Anti-Fascist War.   

This year also marks the 80th anniversary of the founding of the UN. As founding members of the UN and permanent members of the UN Security Council, China and Russia shoulder special and important responsibility in safeguarding the international system with the UN at its core. The two countries will further strengthen their close coordination in the UN, SCO, BRICS and other multilateral platforms, rally the Global South, shape global governance in the right direction, unequivocally oppose acts of unilateralism and bullying, and jointly promote an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization.