On May 9, 2025, Red Square came alive with the thunder of boots and the roar of engines as Russia marked the 80th anniversary of victory in the Great Patriotic War. It wasn’t just a show of military might—it was a deep and deliberate message. Among the 27 foreign leaders in attendance stood China’s President Xi Jinping, shoulder to shoulder with President Vladimir Putin. That image said more than a thousand diplomatic cables ever could: China and Russia are standing together, now more than ever.
But what’s driving this increasingly tight bond between two of the world’s most powerful nations? It’s not just today’s geopolitics—though that’s certainly part of it. It’s something deeper, rooted in shared history, mutual respect, and a common vision for a more balanced global order.
A Friendship Forged in War
Eighty years ago, China and the Soviet Union fought on the front lines of World War II, bearing unspeakable losses in the battle against fascism. That shared sacrifice formed the bedrock of their relationship, a bond that neither time nor political shifts have been able to erode. At this year’s Victory Day parade, both Putin and Xi honored that history, reminding the world that the fight for peace and justice didn’t end in 1945—it simply evolved.
In a time when some Western nations are revising and sanitizing history to suit modern narratives, China and Russia are doubling down on preserving historical truth. They’re not just defending their role in WWII—they’re protecting the very foundation of today’s international order.
Standing Against Historical Amnesia
The West’s selective memory of history—what some call “historical nihilism”—hasn’t gone unnoticed. Efforts to minimize or distort the role of China and the Soviet Union in the global anti-fascist victory are seen in Beijing and Moscow as more than disrespectful; they’re strategic moves to undermine the current international system and maintain dominance.
In response, Xi and Putin are making history a strategic pillar of cooperation. Their joint statement commits both countries to projects that protect the historical record: exhibitions, educational initiatives, soldier memorials, and more. This isn’t nostalgia. It’s a calculated stand against the rewriting of the past—and a warning that any attempt to erase history comes with consequences.
Strategic Coordination in a Shifting World
The world is shifting fast—militarily, economically, and technologically. On May 8, China and Russia signed two major joint statements that signal just how aligned they’ve become. One focuses on expanding their “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership of Coordination for a New Era,” and the other on global strategic stability.
These aren’t just diplomatic niceties. They outline a roadmap for cooperation on everything from nuclear security and AI ethics to arms control and pandemic preparedness. For the first time, issues like biological and chemical weapons, and even the military implications of emerging tech, are being tackled head-on by both nations in tandem.
It’s no coincidence. These moves signal a shift toward a multipolar world where China and Russia see themselves not as challengers to the West, but as co-architects of a fairer, more balanced global system.
A Relationship That’s Not Just Skin-Deep
Some analysts like to speculate: Is this an alliance of convenience? Are China and Russia really that close? The answer, judging by the facts on the ground, is yes—and growing closer.
Xi and Putin recently oversaw the signing of 28 new cooperation agreements spanning trade, science, education, biosafety, and media. From energy pipelines to youth exchanges, their cooperation is getting more detailed and more diversified. And crucially, it’s not reactive. It’s proactive. There’s no third party driving this relationship. It’s built on what Xi has called “clear historical logic and shared civilizational heritage.”
This isn’t just about today’s crises, like the war in Ukraine or tensions in the Asia-Pacific. It’s about building a stable alternative to the current global order—one that values sovereignty, dialogue, and historical continuity over unilateral dominance.
History as Compass, Not Anchor
As the world grows more unpredictable, Beijing and Moscow are turning to history not as a crutch, but as a compass. They know that the lessons of WWII—multilateralism, respect for sovereignty, and cooperation over coercion—are more relevant now than ever.
The legacy of that war isn’t just museums and monuments. It’s the United Nations, international law, and the framework for global diplomacy. When Xi and Putin speak of defending the post-war order, they’re defending those very principles.
Russian historian Vasily Klyuchevsky warned that ignoring history leads to ruin. China echoes that with the old adage: “Those who forget the past are doomed to repeat it.” Together, they are drawing a line: remembering isn’t optional—it’s essential.
In a world increasingly defined by division and short memory, China and Russia are betting that history, when honored and understood, can still light the way forward.
