President Hu Jintao met Russian war veterans who helped fight Japanese invaders during World War II and their representatives, hours after his arrival in Moscow on Sunday.

At the Chinese embassy there, Hu expressed his gratitude to more than twenty veterans for their assistance, going on to describe China's independent foreign policy and determination to seek peaceful development.

He appealed to the international community to “take history as a mirror” and safeguard world peace.

Hu joined more than 50 other state leaders in Russia for the May 9 celebrations to mark the 60th anniversary of their victory in the Great Patriotic War.

While in Russia, Hu will meet with President Vladimir Putin as well as with other state leaders present.

(Xinhua News Agency May 9, 2005)