Chinese President Xi Jinping attended a grand parade at Red Square in Moscow on Friday, the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Soviet Union's Great Patriotic War.
Leaders from more than 20 countries and international organizations were invited to the event.
Click to Gallery
Xi attends Moscow's V-Day parade at Red Square
Xi attends Moscow's V-Day parade at Red Square
Xi attends Moscow's V-Day parade at Red Square
Xi attends Moscow's V-Day parade at Red Square
Xi attends Moscow's V-Day parade at Red Square
Xi arrived at the Kremlin and warmly shook hands with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who was there to greet him. The two leaders then walked together to Red Square and took their seats on the main viewing platform.
The ceremony began at 10:00 local time. The military band played famous Soviet song "The Sacred War," and the honor guard escorted the Russian national flag and the Victory Banner of the Great Patriotic War into the venue.
In his speech delivered at the scene, Putin said that the Soviet Union defended peace and freedom for all humanity at the cost of tens of millions of lives. Russia will always remember the moment of victory, carry on the legacy of our forefathers, stay united, and forever uphold the sacred glory, he said.
He praised the Chinese people's courageous resistance against Japanese aggression during the World War II and expressed high appreciation for their contribution to forging a shared future for humanity.
He said the history of World War II should be remembered and learned. Its victory was sacred, its history cannot be distorted, and the victors must not be insulted, he said.
Following the speech, the military band played the Russian national anthem, salutes were fired across Red Square, and the grand military parade began. Marching in formations, the parade units passed through the square one after another.
In the "historical" segment of the parade, Russian soldiers wore uniforms from the era of the Soviet Union's Great Patriotic War, carried the flags of that time, and held the weapons once used in battle.
In the "modern" segment, units from various branches of the Russian armed forces, along with formations demonstrating modern weaponry and equipment, lined up to be reviewed. Aerial formations from the Russian Aerospace Forces roared over Red Square, as the melody of "Victory Day" echoed continuously.
Armed forces units from more than 10 countries, including China, were also invited to participate in the parade. A unit of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Guard of Honor, comprising 119 officers and soldiers, marched through Red Square with disciplined formation, high morale, and firm, powerful steps.
After the ceremony, Xi, along with other world leaders, walked from Red Square to the Alexander Garden, where they laid flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and stood in silent tribute. Afterwards, the leaders posed for a group photo.
At noon on Friday, Xi attended a banquet hosted by Putin to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Soviet Union's Great Patriotic War.
The Great Patriotic War against Nazi Germany was an integral part of World War II. The Soviet Union lost roughly 27 million people, both soldiers and civilians, according to official statistics.
On the night of May 8, 1945, Germany signed the surrender document in Karlshorst, Berlin, marking the end of WWII in Europe. However, due to the time difference, Moscow had already entered May 9 -- the date the Soviet Union, and later Russia, commemorates as Victory Day.
Xi attends Moscow's V-Day parade at Red Square
Xi attends Moscow's V-Day parade at Red Square
Xi attends Moscow's V-Day parade at Red Square
Xi attends Moscow's V-Day parade at Red Square
Xi attends Moscow's V-Day parade at Red Square
