Distinguished Ambassador Rogachev,

Ladies and gentlemen, friends:

In two days the 60th anniversary of the great victory of the war of defending the country will arrive. Today we feel very glad to attend the reception to commemorate the 60th anniversary hosted by the Russian embassy in China. We would like to extend high tribute and warm congratulations to the great Russian people who have made outstanding contributions to the victory of the World War against Fascism!

More than 60 years ago, at the critical moment when the cruel fascists ignited the fire of war and trampled peace on our planet, the Chinese and Russian people and the people of all the peace-loving countries in the world came forward courageously, fought dauntlessly, safeguarded peace and justice with blood and lives and wrote numerous heroic and moving historical chapters. In that life-and-death battle which determines the future and destiny of mankind, the Chinese and Russian people, with iron will and fearless spirit, supported each other and fought shoulder to should a most resolute and staunchest war against the German and Japanese fascists. Making tremendous national sacrifice, the two peoples made everlasting historic contributions to the victory over fascism and at the same time established profound friendship. Such a sincere friendship born amid the fire of war and the life-and-death struggle serves as a solid foundation and powerful driving force for the constant progress of China-Russia relations.

Recalling the past and comparing it with the present, we cherish the memory of the Chinese, Russian and those of other countries in the world who sacrificed for the justice and liberation cause of mankind and especially value the hard-win peace. The historical experience and lessons show that peace is in the supreme common interest of mankind and we should never allow the historical tragedy to repeat. The victory of the War against Fascism also demonstrates that justice will ultimately defeat evil, light will definitely defeat darkness and the hegemony is doomed to destruction.

China and Russia are the biggest neighboring country to each other. As the permanent members of the UN Security Council, both of them shoulder major responsibility for safeguarding world peace. The two countries, following the trend of the times, established the peaceful idea of "friendship from generation to generation and never treating each other as enemy", signed the Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation, properly solved the border issue and constantly pushes forward their strategic partnership, which has set up a glorious example for the establishment of bilateral relations of equality, trust and cooperation. The sustained and healthy development of China-Russia relations is a major factor of safeguarding the regional and world peace and stability.

In two days President Hu Jintao will go to Moscow to attend the celebrations on the 60th anniversary of Russia's victory in the war of defending the country. I believe that the visit of President Hu will surely help increase the friendship between the Chinese and Russian people and promote the development of bilateral strategic partnership. We are confident that the celebrations will send the strongest signal of peace and be enshrined into history as a major event of solidarity and cooperation among all the peace-loving countries and their people in the world.

Thank you.