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China celebrates V-Day

TOKYO, Sept 3 (KUNA) -- China kicked off the grand celebration in central Beijing Thursday to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World War II, state-run Xinhua News Agency reported.
The ceremony in Beijing was observed by Chinese President Xi Jinping, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi, Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, Pakistani President Mamnoon Hussain, South Korean President Park Geun-hye and other foreign leaders and celebrities.
On Sept. 2, 1945, Japan officially surrendered to the Allied and seven days later to then Chinese government.
The highlight of the celebration was a military parade attended by about 12,000 servicemen and women, WWII veterans and nearly 1,000 foreign troops from 17 other countries, including Egypt, Pakistan, and Russia. It also showcased China's latest weaponry.
Addressing the gathering, Xi said the aim of the commemoration of China's victory is to bear history in mind, honor all those who laid down their lives, cherish peace and open up the future.
"In the interest of peace, we need to foster a keen sense of a global community of shared future," said Xi.
"All countries should jointly uphold the international order and system underpinned by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, build a new type of international relations featuring win-win cooperation and advance the noble cause of global peace and development." Meantime, the president also announced that China will cut the number of its troops by 300,000.
Japan invaded northeast China in September 1931, followed by a full-scale invasion from 1937 to 1945. (end) mk.ibi