China's Foreign Ministry Welcomes Putin's Upcoming Visit

China's Foreign Ministry has welcomed the news that Russian President Vladimir Putin would visit the country this September and take part in celebrations in Beijing marking the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei noted on March 20 that "our countries made a tremendous contribution to the victory in that war."

China will hold a military parade and other events in early September to mark the anniversary of the end of the war.

Chinese President Xi Jinping is due to attend similar celebrations in Moscow in May marking the end of World War II in Europe.

Beyond the celebrations, the Russian and Chinese leaders have many issues to discuss from mutual security concerns to bilateral trade.

Russia has been trying to become the major oil and gas supplier to China in recent years but the recent dramatic decrease in the price of oil and gas have complicated plans to build major pipelines linking the two countries.

Based on reporting by TASS, Interfax, and Reuters