China-Russia. Photo:VCG

Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Moscow on Wednesday for a state visit to Russia and the celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Soviet Union's Great Patriotic War, at the invitation of President Vladimir Putin of the Russian Federation.

This visit marks Xi's 11th trip to Russia since he became Chinese president. The two heads of state have met more than 40 times on different occasions over the years. Their close communication provides strategic guidance, under which China-Russia relations have matured into a resilient and stable partnership, according to Xinhua News Agency.

In a signed article published on Wednesday in the Russian Gazette newspaper ahead of his state visit, President Xi urged the international community to uphold the correct view of the history of World War II (WWII), firmly safeguard the post-war international order, and resolutely defend international fairness and justice.

Xi noted that China and the Soviet Union stood as the backbone in the fight against Japanese militarism and German Nazism, making decisive contributions to the victory in the World Anti-Fascist War, according to the Xinhua News Agency.

Today, eight decades later, unilateralism, hegemony and acts of bullying are inflicting severe harm, and humanity once again stands at a crossroads - between unity or division, dialogue or confrontation, win-win or zero-sum, he added, per Xinhua.

The world must take history as a mirror, draw wisdom and strength from the profound lessons of WWII and the great victory in the World Anti-Fascist War, resolutely oppose all forms of hegemonism and power politics, and jointly create a brighter future for humanity, Xi said.

In a written statement sent to the Global Times on Wednesday, Russian Ambassador to China Igor Morgulov said "in May 2025, our country will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War. This date, symbolizing the unity of the people, its strength of spirit and resilience, holds special meaning for every Russian."

The ambassador wrote that Russia and China, which hold similar views on the causes, course and results of WWII, hold a united front against attempts to falsify history and glorify Nazis, militarists and their accomplices. 

He described President Xi's visit to Moscow "a manifestation of the solidarity of the Russian and Chinese peoples in protecting historical memory." 

Friendship forged with blood

The commemoration marking the 80th anniversary of the Great Patriotic War will be held on May 9 in Moscow. Global Times reporters observed on the streets of the Russian capital that Moscow has already entered a "Victory Day" mood, with symbols of  victory visible throughout the streets and a solemn, festive air surrounding Red Square.

In the Alexander Garden, located northwest of Red Square and adjacent to the Kremlin's red walls, the pentagonal star-shaped torch at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is particularly striking. Since its establishment, the flame at the center of the star-shaped base of this monument has burned continuously for over half a century. 

In the signed article, Xi said the profound friendship forged with blood and lives in the World Anti-Fascist War has become an inexhaustible source of the everlasting amity between China and Russia.

Noting that this year marks the 80th anniversary of the victories of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, the Soviet Union's Great Patriotic War and the World Anti-Fascist War, as well as the founding of the United Nations, Xi said that together with the heroic Russian people, he will honor the past and pay tribute to the martyrs.

Maria, a student at the Confucius Institute at Moscow State Linguistic University, told the Global Times that her great-grandfather fought in WWII, and was part of the advance to Berlin and later participated in China's liberation by combating Japanese militarism in 1945. 

These stories, she said, underscore the hard-won nature of the victory against fascism and the importance of preserving its memory. "I hope our peoples will cherish this enduring friendship, support each other and pass it down through generations."

Amalia, a 22-year-old staff member at Moscow's Victory Museum, told the Global Times that her studies of WWII history have deepened her appreciation for the immense sacrifices and contributions of both China and the Soviet Union in the fight against fascism. 

"Authentic history must never be forgotten; it should be preserved and passed on accurately," she said. Amalia expressed her eagerness to visit the Museum of the War of Chinese People's Resistance Against Japanese Aggression.

Safeguarding post-war order

In his signed article, Xi said that the most important decision made by the international community at the end of WWII was the founding of the United Nations. Facing the complex and turbulent international situation, all countries should firmly safeguard the UN-centered international system, the international order underpinned by international law, and the basic norms governing international relations based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and advance an equal and orderly multi-polar world and an economic globalization that benefits all, he said.

Xi also urged the international community to uphold dialogue over confrontation, partnership over alliance, and win-win cooperation over zero-sum games, Xinhua reported.

International rules, international law and the UN-centered system - foundational pillars established post-WWII, remain essential for a just and stable global order, Li Haidong, a professor at China Foreign Affairs University, told the Global Times.

Amid intensifying geopolitical turbulence, Li noted, coordination between China and Russia strengthens prospects for a stable, fair and sustainable international order.

Coordination and cooperation among major powers have been a core element in the construction of the post-WWII international order. The exchanges and cooperation between China and Russia not only serve as a model of such coordination but also provide a reliable force for maintaining global strategic stability, the expert noted.  

Echoing Li, Andrey Kortunov, Director General of the Russian International Affairs Council, described China-Russia relations as a cornerstone of global stability amid today's political and economic turbulence.

Beijing and Moscow have common or overlapping positions on many fundamental problems of security and development; they join forces in promoting multilateral groupings like BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), in resisting Western hegemonism and imperialism; they share visions of a new - fair and democratic - world order, Kortunov said. 

Importantly, Kortunov clarified that this cooperation is not directed against any nation or group and does not constitute a military or political alliance that would limit either side's sovereignty or freedom of action. Instead, it is rooted in mutual respect for each other's interests and priorities.

Chen Xuan also contributed to this story