President Hu Jintao
met Russian war veterans who helped fight
Japanese invaders during World War II and their
representatives, hours after his arrival in Moscow on Sunday.
At the Chinese embassy there, Hu expressed his
gratitude to more than twenty veterans for their assistance, going
on to describe China's independent foreign policy and determination
to seek peaceful development.
He appealed to the international community to “take
history as a mirror” and safeguard world peace.
Hu joined more than 50 other state leaders in
Russia for the May 9 celebrations to mark the 60th anniversary of
their victory in the Great Patriotic War.
While in Russia, Hu will meet with President
Vladimir Putin as well as with other state leaders present.
(Xinhua News Agency May 9, 2005)
