Chinese President Xi Jinping's trip to Russia as well as Kazakhstan and Belarus is set to strengthen the country's diplomatic relationships. (Photo : Reuters)
Chinese President Xi Jinping is set to attend the 70th anniversary of the Great Patriotic War on his trip to Russia from May 8-10, China's Foreign Ministry announced in a conference on Monday.
The Great Patriotic War, also known as the Victory Day, is the commemoration of Russia's triumph, along with the other members of the Soviet Union, in the battle against Nazi Germany with its allies on June 1941 to May 9, 1945, during the Word War II.
Xi will grace the Victory Day parade on May 9, Saturday, at Moscow's Red Square.
Cheng Guoping, vice foreign minister of the department, said that the president will also meet Russia's World War II veterans as well as the delegates of the Russian experts who offered help to China when the Soviet Union is still active.
Cheng further said that a group from the People's Liberation Army will participate in the parade for the first time.
Aside from attending the celebration, Xi will also be having a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin as well as Dmitry Medvedev, Prime Minister of Russia, China Daily reported.
The leaders will discuss about the Silk Road Economic Belt, an initiative funded by China, wherein Xi will consider Russia's related idea on trade and infrastructure network across Eurasia, the news agency added.
The development of the Eurasian Economic Union, which is led by Russia, will also be discussed.
Xi will pay visit to Kazakhstan, Russia and Belarus, which are part of the former Soviet Union.
The Chinese president will begin his visit to Kazakhstan on Thursday and then head to Russia the following day for the three-day stay in the country.
Belarus will be Xi's last destination in response to the invitation of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko.
