Focus

On the evening of May 8, President Xi Jinping spoke with President Vladimir Putin of Russia on the phone.

On behalf of the Chinese government and people, Xi extended warm congratulations to Putin and the Russian people on the 75th anniversary of the victory of the Great Patriotic War, which falls on May 9.

Xi stressed that China and Russia, as the main theaters in Asia and Europe during World War II, made tremendous sacrifices and indelible contributions towards its final victory. The great friendship forged between the Chinese and Russian people in this joint endeavor represents an inexhaustible source of strong impetus for China-russia relations.

Noting the present global fight against COVID-19, Xi highlighted Russia’s progress in its response efforts under the leadership of President Putin. He expressed China’s readiness to provide continued, strong support to Russia.

Putin indicated that Russia would strengthen its comprehensive strategic coordination with China at this historical moment to demonstrate its resolve to uphold world peace together and prevent anyone from saying or doing anything to tamper with or dismiss history. Thanking China for the humanitarian assistance and medical supplies, Putin said that Russia would learn from China’s experience and work with China on vaccine research and development. Russia opposes finger-pointing at China by a handful of people under the pretext of the virus and will stand firmly with China in this regard.