President Hu Jintao attended Sunday's celebrations of the 65th anniversary of Russia's victory in the Great Patriotic War against Nazi Germany, a visit analysts said will strengthen relations by remembering a period of history tied by flesh and blood. 

Hu joined other leaders in a series of activities, including a military parade at Red Square, a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and a banquet hosted by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev.

Although a military parade has been staged every year at Moscow's Red Square along with other celebrations, this year's event is unprecedented in grandeur with Russia determined to showcase its global clout by seeking international support for the pivotal role played by the Soviet Union during World War II. 

Russian Victory Day

Medvedev pledged last week to safeguard that historic achievement as there are now "attempts with a political purpose to distort the history" of the war.

Hu defended Russia's role in the war.

"China and Russia share the same stance on World War II," he said.

Beijing and Moscow must resolutely defend the authenticity of history, he said.

When he met Russian WWII veterans on Saturday, Hu said the two nations should strive to push for a "multi-polar and democratic world".

He also called for a new "concept of security", urging people to learn lessons from WWII and maintain peace and development in today's world by increasing mutual trust and respecting diverse civilizations.

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

Setting the Victory Day parade as a multilateral diplomatic platform will also consolidate Russia's position in foreign relations and create a better exterior environment for its development, analysts said.

Leaders from about 20 countries, as well as the heads of members of the Commonwealth of Independent States and some international organizations, were in attendance in Moscow.

Hu's presence shows China and Russia's support of each other, political observers said.