Xi Jinping to skip Russia's May 9 parade: Here's who China sends
Photo: Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin (Getty Images)
This year, Beijing will not be sending a government delegation, including Chinese President Xi Jinping, to Moscow for the May 9 parade. The country will be represented only by staff from the Chinese Embassy in Russia, according to Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian.
"As far as I know, representatives of the Chinese Embassy in Russia will attend the event by invitation," says spokesperson Lin Jian on Friday, May 8.
Last year, China was represented in person by Chinese President Xi Jinping. Leaders from nearly 30 countries attended the parade in Moscow at that time. This year, Beijing limited its participation to diplomats from the embassy; no government delegation was sent.
Meanwhile, a list of guests who will participate in the parade has appeared on the Kremlin’s website. Most of the foreign guests are representatives of unrecognized entities or self-proclaimed leaders of countries.
Meanwhile, on the eve of the parade, the Kremlin revoked accreditation for the foreign press.
ARD, ZDF, Sky, AFP, Italy’s Rai, and Japan’s NHK were denied access. Only Russian journalists were permitted to cover the event.
Additionally, Russia is intimidating Ukraine and the West to ensure silence on May 9.
