Interview: Russia, China stand together in defense of peace, security: friendship association leader

"China and Russia, having made immense sacrifices to secure the victory in World War II, will never allow its historical significance to be undermined by anyone," said Galina Kulikova, first deputy chairperson of the Russia-China Friendship Association.

MOSCOW, May 9 (Xinhua) -- The victory in the World Anti-Fascist War is a shared victory of Russia and China over fascism and militarism, Galina Kulikova, first deputy chairperson of the Russia-China Friendship Association, has said.

"China had been fighting Japanese aggressors since 1931," Kulikova told Xinhua in an interview, adding that if China had not put up such a heroic fight, Japan could have coordinated with Nazi Germany to wage a war against the Soviet Union on the Eastern Front. "That would have been very bad for us."

Kulikova noted that in the World Anti-Fascist War, China sent the Soviet Union strategic materials needed for the fights, while Soviet pilots helped China defend its skies.

She said Russia and China will continue to stand firm against attempts to falsify the history of World War II.

"China and Russia, having made immense sacrifices to secure the victory in World War II, will never allow its historical significance to be undermined by anyone," Kulikova said.

In her eyes, that war was more than just history; it was also her personal experience shaped by her own memories.

"I myself belong to the generation that grew up during the war, as I was very young when the war began. I remember Moscow on the defensive, I remember Moscow being bombed. I spent nights at the Mayakovskaya metro station with my mother and grandmother, because my father had gone to the front," she said, adding that friendships formed during wartime are strong, standing the test of time and continuing to grow stronger.

"Today, we are celebrating our common great victory together," Kulikova said. "Our countries fought together on the Western and Eastern fronts. And today, our countries stand together in defense of peace, justice and security."■