Xi arrives in Moscow for state visit, Victory Day celebrations

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

Xi's plane was escorted to the Russian capital by fighter jets sent by the Russian Air Force after entering the country's airspace.

Upon his arrival at the Moscow Vnukovo Airport, Xi was greeted by Russian Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova and other senior government officials.

The Russian side held a welcome ceremony at the airport, which saw a military band play the national anthems of both China and Russia before Xi reviewed the guard of honor and watched a march-past.

Xi delivered a written statement upon his arrival, in which he extended sincere greetings and best wishes to the Russian government and people on behalf of the Chinese government and people.

Xi said China and Russia are good neighbors that cannot be moved away, true friends who share weal and woe, and good partners of mutual achievement.

The two sides have found a right path of state-to-state interactions between neighboring major countries, and have forged a spirit of strategic coordination for a new era, which features permanent good-neighborly friendship, comprehensive strategic coordination and mutually beneficial cooperation, he said.

The independent, mature and resilient bilateral relationship, Xi said, not only brings great benefits to the two peoples, but also makes important contributions to maintaining global strategic stability and promoting an equal and orderly multipolar world.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the World Anti-Fascist War and the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations, he noted.

China and Russia, both major countries of the world and permanent members of the UN Security Council, will join hands to safeguard the victorious outcome of World War II, firmly safeguard the UN-centered international system and the international order underpinned by international law, resolutely oppose hegemonism and power politics, practice true multilateralism, and promote the building of a more just and equitable global governance system, Xi said.

Xi said that during his four-day visit, he will meet with President Putin to have in-depth communication on bilateral relations, practical cooperation as well as major international and regional issues of common concern, which will inject strong impetus into the development of the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era.

Noting that he will attend Russia's May 9th Victory Day celebrations again after a decade, Xi said he looks forward to working with leaders of other countries and the Russian people to deeply commemorate the martyrs who heroically sacrificed their lives for the victory in the World Anti-Fascist War, and send out a strong voice of the times to safeguard international fairness and justice.

Xi's entourage, including Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, and Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and foreign minister, arrived on the same plane.

China's Ambassador to Russia Zhang Hanhui also came to the airport to greet Xi upon his arrival.

As Xi's motorcade drove from the airport to the hotel, local Russian residents, representatives of personnel from Chinese-funded enterprises in Russia, and Chinese students gathered by the roadsides, waving the national flags of China and Russia and holding red banners with messages extending a warm welcome to the Chinese president.

Xi arrives in Moscow for state visit, Victory Day celebrations

Xi arrives in Moscow for state visit, Victory Day celebrations

Xi arrives in Moscow for state visit, Victory Day celebrations

Xi arrives in Moscow for state visit, Victory Day celebrations

The inaugural maritime film festival kicked off on board China's first domestically built large cruise ship Adora Magic City on Sunday, with classic movie screenings, exhibitions of cinematic memorabilia and interactive activities together creating a special journey for travelers.

Jointly presented by Adora Cruises and Changchun Film Group, guests are treated with movie screenings, panel sessions with actors, as well as interactive performances themed on classic movies during a five-day voyage.

The themed cruise season will run until the end of June on three cruise ships.

"Through the in-depth expansion of the 'film plus' model, we combine resources across sectors to explore new pathways for the integrated development of the film and television industry and the cruise economy," said Zhuang Yan, chairman of Changchun Film Group, at the opening event.

Actor Hou Yong, who is on the maiden voyage of the film-themed cruise season, said he was looking forward to having interactive experiences with audiences.

"During this journey, I also look forward to those chances of encounters -- with film audiences, with film enthusiasts. As an actor, I feel I have the obligation, the capability, and the responsibility to pass on my understanding of Chinese cinema to them," he said.

Adora Magic City, 323.6 meters long, has a gross tonnage of 135,500 tonnes and can accommodate up to 5,246 passengers in 2,125 guest rooms.

First maritime film festival launched on China's homegrown cruise ship