By Angelo Giuliano
In May 2025, Moscow hosts grand celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany in World War II, known as the Great Patriotic War. The Victory Day parade on May 9, a symbol of Russian national pride, showcases military strength and historical reverence, with Chinese President Xi Jinping's attendance highlighting the deepening China-Russia strategic partnership. This milestone, attended by leaders from over 20 countries, including China, Brazil, and Serbia, underscores Russia's global influence despite Western isolation efforts. Against this backdrop, the China-Russia alliance, WWII's enduring lessons, and China's global peace initiatives shape a vision for a multipolar world.
Xi's state visit to Moscow from May 7th to 10th, at President Vladimir Putin's invitation, reinforces the "no limits" partnership between China and Russia. Strengthened through agreements in energy, trade, and technology, this alliance counters U.S.-led sanctions and promotes financial independence via expanded yuan-ruble trade. Emphasizing sovereignty and mutual benefit, their collaboration challenges Western hegemony, fostering stability through platforms like BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). The Moscow parade, featuring Chinese troops alongside Russian forces, symbolizes their shared commitment to honoring WWII sacrifices and resisting historical revisionism. Economically, their initiatives reduce reliance on the dollar, while geopolitically, their alignment deters interference, inspiring developing nations to pursue independent paths. Rooted in mutual respect, non-alliance, and non-confrontation, this partnership sets a standard for major power cooperation, amplifying the Global South's voice and fostering peace through dialogue and economic interdependence.
The 80th anniversary celebrations, including the Red Square parade with veterans of Russia's Ukraine conflict and Cossack units, reflect Russia's narrative of continuity between WWII victories and current geopolitical struggles. WWII's lessons are central to this narrative. The Soviet Union's immense sacrifices—over 27 million lives lost—proved decisive in defeating Nazi Germany, with battles like Stalingrad turning the tide. The UK's resilience during the Blitz, French and Polish resistance, and other European efforts weakened the Axis powers. The war underscores the dangers of appeasement and the need for collective security, as embodied by the United Nations. Today, China and Russia's economic interdependence and respect for sovereignty, prominently displayed during Moscow's commemorations, reduce conflict risks. A multipolar world, celebrated through events like the international "Dictation of Victory" campaign across 80 countries, counters hegemonism, ensuring equitable representation.
Launched by Xi in 2022, the Global Security Initiative (GSI) complements the anniversary's themes, promoting a non-zero-sum approach to security through dialogue and addressing root causes like poverty and climate change. Unlike Western militarized strategies, the GSI fosters inclusive policies via SCO and ASEAN partnerships, strengthening peacekeeping and global governance. Its emphasis on equitable development bridges divides, aligning with Victory Day's message of global cooperation against fascism. The GSI's multilateral focus encourages peaceful dispute resolution, positioning it as a framework for sustainable peace that ensures all nations' security concerns are addressed equitably.
China's role in global peace is amplified during the Moscow celebrations. Through multilateralism, equitable development, and initiatives like the GSI and Belt and Road, China counters unilateralism, mediating conflicts and uplifting developing nations via BRICS and SCO. Its non-interference stance respects diverse governance models, contrasting with Western interventionism. As a mediator and economic powerhouse, China fosters trust, with its presence in Moscow signaling a commitment to a multipolar world prioritizing collective security and shared prosperity.
The 80th anniversary of Victory Day in Moscow, marked by Xi's visit and global participation, underscores the China-Russia partnership's role in fostering a multipolar world. By honoring WWII's sacrifices, both nations challenge hegemonic narratives, drawing on the war's lessons of unity and collective security. The GSI and China's broader peacebuilding efforts align with these ideals, promoting dialogue and equity. As Moscow's Red Square echoes with tributes to the past, China and Russia's cooperation inspires a global framework where mutual respect and collective well-being prevail, paving the way for lasting peace and stability in a multipolar world that values shared progress over dominance.
The views do not necessarily reflect those of DotDotNews.
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