Global Leaders to Attend China's V-Day Amidst Japan's Objection

Beijing, Aug 28 (PTI) – A total of 26 foreign leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, are set to participate in China's V-Day commemoration on September 3, as announced by China on Thursday. This event marks China's recognition of the "war of resistance against Japanese aggression in World War II" and has sparked diplomatic tensions with Japan, which has urged global leaders to abstain from attending due to perceived "anti-Japanese overtones." .

China has lodged an official protest with Japan over its appeal to other nations to skip the commemoration. .

Following an invitation from Chinese President Xi Jinping, Assistant Foreign Minister Hong Lei confirmed on Thursday that 26 foreign leaders, including Putin and Kim, are invited to the event. .

"China will organize a grand military parade on September 3 to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War," stated Hong. .

This parade coincides with the conclusion of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, scheduled for August 31 and September 1 in Tianjin, a city close to Beijing. .

A week ago, Assistant Foreign Minister Liu Bin mentioned in a media briefing that apart from the 26 foreign leaders, 10 heads of international organizations, including UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, are expected at the SCO summit. .

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is slated to travel to Tianjin for the SCO summit following his visit to Japan. .

Japan's dissatisfaction towards China's initiative to attract SCO summit attendees to its parade has been made evident. .

According to Kyodo, a Japanese news agency, Japan has communicated through its international embassies that China's commemorative activities bear "anti-Japanese overtones," advising leaders to deliberate carefully on their attendance. .

China’s Foreign Ministry reacted strongly by filing a protest against Japan’s diplomatic maneuvers. .

"If Japan sincerely wishes to move on from historical issues, it should candidly confront and introspect on its aggressive past, break away from militarism, pursue peaceful development, and honor the sentiments of China and other affected nations," stated Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun. .

Among those confirmed to attend the SCO summit are Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, and Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, as highlighted by Assistant Foreign Minister Liu Bin. .

From the South Asian subcontinent, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Nepalese Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli, and Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu will also be present, Liu added. .