China will not forget the merits of Soviet Red Army soldiers who helped Chinese fight against Japanese invaders in northeast China, said President Hu Jintao in Moscow on Saturday.

He made the remarks when meeting 20 war veterans who fought with Chinese people against Japanese invaders in northeast China in 1940s.

Visiting Chinese President Hu Jintao (R) meets Russian war veterans on Saturday in Moscow. [chinadaily.com.cn]

On August 18, the Japanese army stationing in northeast China, which is also known as the Kwantung Army, surrendered.

The 20 veterans, all in their 80s and 90s now, are representatives of Red Army soldiers marching into the battleground of northeast China.

President Hu praised Soviet Red Army for "making important contribution to helping Chinese win the final victory over Japanese invasions."

Chinese and Russian forged profound friendship in the war against fascists, said Hu, adding that such friendship is the solid foundation for the "strategic partnership for coordination".

"For the past decades, we always miss the Chinese and Russia heroes and martyrs who devoted their lives to the victory in the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression, and will stick in our minds their life-making historical merits," said Hu.

He advocated for the correct "concept of history" – referring to the recognition of Soviet's important role in anti-Fascists war and their assistance to China over the fight against Japanese occupation.

He also called for the new "concept of security", urging people to learn lessons from World War II and keep peace and development in today's world by increasing mutual trust, keeping consultation and respecting diversified civilizations.

China and Russia, as the two permanent members of the UN Security Council, should increase their strategic coordination and make joint efforts to build the new international political order, he added.

General M. A. Gareev, 87, echoed Hu's remarks by calling for closer cooperation between China and Russia, noting that the increasing partnership has become the guarantee for peace in the world.

Gareev, who took part in the war liberating the city of Mudanjiang in northeast China in 1945, said the Chinese troops have played important roles in the World Anti-Fascist War, adding that history should not be distorted.

President Hu awarded each veteran a peace medal and presented them albums of historical pictures of Red Army in northeast China in 1940s.

President Hu arrived in Moscow in the afternoon of Saturday and he will on Sunday join other state leaders for the parade on Moscow's Red Square and wreath-laying ceremonies at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Five years ago, he also visited Moscow to attend ceremonies marking the 60th anniversary of victory of the Great Patriotic War and also met some war veterans.