By Saadet Gokce
ISTANBUL (AA) - China on Wednesday said that Chinese soldiers participating in the May 9 Victory Day parade in Russia shows "respect for history," after Ukraine said foreign countries' participation will be considered a violation of their neutrality.
"China’s attendance at the commemoration demonstrates that China respects and remembers history and is resolved to defend the outcome of the victory of the Second World War," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said.
"The great victory of the World Anti-Fascist War was the result of the joint efforts by all countries and people who love peace and uphold justice. Chinese people and the people of all ethnic groups in the former Soviet Union made enormous sacrifices for this and also made important and historic contributions to this victory," Lin said.
In a statement Tuesday on Telegram, Ukraine's Foreign Ministry said that foreign armies participating in the May 9 Moscow parade will be regarded as a violation of their neutrality and urged foreign states to refrain from participating in the event.