PLA Guard of Honor attends three rehearsals for Russia's Victory Day military parade

A squad of 119 officers and soldiers from the Guard of Honor of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) have participated in three rehearsals for the Victory Day military parade scheduled for Friday in Moscow's Red Square, pledging to showcase the Chinese army's dignified appearance and movements.

At the invitation of the defense ministries of Russia and Belarus, the PLA has dispatched members of its Guard of Honor squad to participate in the upcoming military parades which will be held in Moscow as well as the Belarusian capital Minsk on Friday to mark the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Soviet Union's Great Patriotic War. In Russia, the PLA Guard of Honor squad participated in three rehearsals for the military parade on the evening of April 29 and May 3, and Wednesday morning.

During the rehearsals, the officers and soldiers sang military songs, which were warmly welcomed by Chinese international students in Russia and local residents.

"In order to better display the friendship between China and Russia, we've also learned to perform classic Russian songs 'The Sacred War' and 'Kalinka', and to say ''Long live the friendship between China and Russia, long live world peace' in Russian on the Red Square," said Liu Chao, soldier of the Guard of Honor of Chinese People's Liberation Army.

The PLA Guard of Honor's participation in the Red Square parade this time will not only be a lofty tribute to the friendship between China and Russia in the Anti-Fascist War, but also a solemn defense of the historical justice of World War II, and a solemn declaration of the determination to maintain world peace.

After arriving in Moscow, the PLA Guard of Honor squad, have been carefully refining their preparations and undergone rigorous training to ensure their participation in the event will be completed to the highest standard. The members have even endured an unexpected bout of unseasonal snowfall in the Moscow area in recent days, but say they are well prepared to overcome any such challenges brought by the weather.

"We have learned from our experiences in previous overseas missions, how to best overcome jet lag, adjusting to temperature differences, and to new terrain and environments, as well as adapting our marching steps and speed accordingly. We have also made full preparations to handle any adverse weather conditions or environmental challenges which may arise, so as to ensure we perform at our best during this grand military parade," said Zhang Dingxin, officer of the Guard of Honor of Chinese People's Liberation Army.

PLA Guard of Honor attends three rehearsals for Russia's Victory Day military parade

Nicaragua's co-foreign minister Valdrack Jaentschke has warned that militarism must never be allowed to rise again, as Japan's recent moves to lift its arms export ban and revise the pacifist Constitution continue to draw international concern.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the opening of the Tokyo Trials, where Japan's Class-A war criminals from World War II were brought to justice.

In an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN), Valdrack Jaentschke voiced his concern that today's world order is being undermined by interventionism and other challenges.

"It is necessary for us to remember that after the end of World War II, countries worked hard to build a new international order based on international law. However, regrettably, more than 80 years later, we are seeing that this once explored and attempted order is being challenged by interventionism, a confrontational mindset, and tendencies like 'might makes right.' These are precisely the conditions that gave rise to fascism and militarism in the past, which ultimately led to the tragedy of World War II," he said.

He said the international community has a responsibility to pursue a new international order -- one fundamentally grounded in peace.

"Looking back at the history more than eight decades ago and comparing it with today's reality, it is our responsibility to recognize that the world should, and must, build a new international order that is more just, fairer, rooted in international law, based on a logic of mutual benefit and shared success, and fundamentally grounded in peace," said the minister.

"Today, as we revisit the Tokyo Trials, it is meant to remind the world that such a tragedy must never be repeated -- and that we must do everything in our power to prevent it from happening again. We must stop that dark world -- born from militarism, interventionism, and fascism -- from ever returning," he said.

Nicaraguan FM warns of militarism revival