CRFA President Chen Yuan in Russia for Activities Marking 70th Anniversary of Victory of World Anti—Fascist War

eventy years ago， a war broke out， engulfing around two billion people of more than 80 countries and regions， and causing an unprecedented catastrophe in human civilization. In this life-and-death struggle between justice and evil， the world anti-fascist forces including China and the Soviet Union fought shoulder to shoulder and finally won victory.

Both China and the Soviet Union made indelible historic contributions to the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War through great national sacrifices universally acknowledged. The Soviet army and people fought courageously in the main European theater under extreme conditions， beating back the German invaders and finally capturing Berlin， creating miracles one after another in the history of war. On the main battlefield of the anti-fascist war in the East， the unyielding Chinese army and people waged an extremely hard and bitter struggle against Japanese aggressors， during which millions laid down their lives and wrote a glorious chapter in the valiant struggle.

Seventy years later， Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin reached consensus to solemnly celebrate the 70th anniversary of the victory in the Great Patriotic War and the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression to remember the past and further the Sino-Russian strategic partnership of cooperation and friendship between the two peoples.

Accordingly， the China-Russia Friendship Association （CRFA） organized a series of activities this year. In early May， Chen Yuan， Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and President of the CRFA， paid a goodwill visit to Russia， the second since assuming office last year.

On the morning of May 5， the CRFA and the Russia-China Friendship Association （RCFA） jointly held a commemorative meeting to review history， look into the future and cherish peace in the building of the Russian Academy of Sciences. CRFA President Chen addressed the meeting， and he and Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Igor V. Morgulov respectively read out messages of congratulations from the two State leaders.

President Xi said it was of great importance that， 70 years on， “we jointly commemorate this great victory and cherish the memory of those Chinese and Russian martyrs who heroically sacrificed their lives to uphold justice， light and freedom. By marking the great victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and Russia’s Great Patriotic War we mean to remember history， honor the memory of the martyrs， cherish peace and create the future. To remember history is not to continue hatred， but to create a better future of lasting peace.”

He expressed the hope that this commemorative meeting would consolidate the traditional friendship cemented with blood and lives between the Chinese and Russian people， and that the people of China， Russia and other countries would work together to create a better future of national rejuvenation and peace and progress of humanity.

President Putin said the Russian people would never forget the brave Chinese brothers who laid down their precious lives to win the common victory over fascism， and the Chinese people would always remember the officers and soldiers of the Soviet Army who died in helping China fighting against Japanese aggressors.

It was unacceptable to distort history and glorify Nazis and their accomplices， for such behaviors were not only immoral， but dangerous， and would result in fresh conflicts and violence in the world. The present commemorative meeting would help the people of the world face up to history， remember the martyrs， cultivate patriotism and humanism in young people， and enhance people’s friendship.

Also speaking at the meeting were Chinese Ambassador to Russia Li Hui， CPAFFC Vice President Xie Yuan， Deputy Russian Foreign Minister Morgulov， and representatives of experts， scholars and war veterans of both countries. They recalled the brilliant history of the army and people of the two countries fighting the enemy side by side， stressed the importance of peace and stability to human development and progress， and expressed their wishes to work with joint efforts to promote development. Their heart-felt sincerity touched all present.

In Russia， an annual military parade is held on May 9， Victory Day， in Red Square. The Soviet army troops paraded before Stalin and other Soviet Party and government leaders， and carrying with them the blessings of their loved ones went straight to the Western front. They beat back the invaders and launched counter-offensives until winning final victory.

This year， to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the victory of the Great Patriotic War （1941-1945）， the parade was held on a much grander scale and was attended by President Xi Jinping and over 20 other leaders of countries and regions and heads of international organizations， with the participation of an honor guard of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army （PLA） and military units from India， Mongolia and countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States.

The fact that CRFA President Chen Yuan watched the parade as an honored guest shows the respect the Russian side has for him， the recognition of the contributions he has made to promoting China-Russia practical cooperation over the years， and the great importance it attaches to people-to-people friendship between China and Russia.

Chen Yuan said after the parade that he was fortunate to have witnessed this important historical moment and that President Xi’s attendance and PLA honor guard’s participation all reflected the extraordinary strategic partnership as well as high political and military mutual trust between the two countries. China’s support for Russia in its celebration would inject new vitality into uplifting the level of bilateral cooperation.

Chen Yuan’s visit to Russia， from a non-governmental perspective， passed the message of peace and friendship and consolidated the social and public support for bilateral relations， while at the same time set off a warm atmosphere for Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to Russia. Whether attending the commemorative meeting， or watching military parade at the Red Square， we saw from the faces of everyone we came into contact — veterans who had fought in the war or children who spontaneously saluted the veterans — their gratitude and happiness for today’s peaceful life.

Past experience can serve as a guide for the future. It is to create a better future that we review history. As peace and development remain the main themes of our times， China and Russia should work together to safeguard peace and promote development. Only thus can they live up to the service and sacrifice of the martyrs； can the aims of the UN Charter “to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war， which twice in our lifetime has brought untold sorrow to humankind” be truly reflected and the better future of “live together in peace with one another as good neighbors” be realized at an early date.