MOSCOW, November 6 /TASS/. Russia seeks broad cooperation in world affairs and is against ideological confrontation, Russian President Vladimir Putin said in an interview with leading Chinese media outlets on the eve of his visit to China.
"Today, Russia and China are interested in enhancing global stability and developing broad cooperation on the basis of the international law and the key role of the UN,” Putin said.
"We oppose the return to the ideological confrontation in world affairs and strongly condemn any attempts to falsify the history of World War II,” the Russian president stressed, recalling that the Soviet Union and China were allies during WWII.
“During the war the Soviet Union and China were allies who struggled against common enemy, shoulder to shoulder. Our countries have withstood the severe test with honour and borne the brunt of resistance against the aggressors,” Putin stressed.
"At the concluding stage of the war, tens of thousands of our compatriots sacrificed their lives for the liberation of the Northeast China. I would like to thank our Chinese friends for their careful attitude towards the memory of heroes, the bed-of-honours, the war memorials,” Putin said.
“Our brotherhood in arms and mutual aid of the peoples of our countries have provided a solid foundation for the present-day Russian-Chinese relations,” the Russian head of state added.
Putin also said that festivities devoted to the 70th anniversary of the end of WWII and the victory of the Chinese people who drove the occupiers out of their land took place in Beijing on September 3, 2015.
"In the course of negotiations in Shanghai, which took place this May, we agreed with PRC President Xi Jinping that we would celebrate these memorable dates together, as noted in our Joint statement,” the Russian president went on to say.
“I am sure that the oncoming celebration of the Victory's anniversary in Russia and in China will enhance bilateral understanding and cooperation ever more,” Putin added.