HKSAR photo exhibition showcases China, Russia WWII cooperation

The Russian Consulate General in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region opened a photo exhibition on Sept 18 to commemorate the alliance between China and the Soviet Union during World War II.

"The exhibition is not only about military victories but also about the broader victory of friendship and human bonds," said Russia's Consul-General in Hong Kong, Anatoly Kargapolov, at the opening ceremony.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victories in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, the Soviet Union's Great Patriotic War and the World Anti-Fascist War.

The exhibition, held at the Hong Kong Central Library, is open to the public until Sept 23.

It features more than 30 rare photographs and archival documents, many of which are being presented in Hong Kong for the first time, provided by the Russian embassy in Beijing. 

In Hong Kong, Kargapolov said the consulate is also working to preserve the shared WWII heritage as the city became the final resting place for several Russian seamen killed by Japanese bombs.

Through extensive research, Kargapolov said the identities of some of these seamen were eventually uncovered.

"As the main battlefields in Asia and Europe during the WWII, China and the Soviet Union made enormous national sacrifices in resisting Japanese military and the German fascist aggression, and contributed significantly to winning the war," said Li Yongsheng, deputy commissioner of the Commissioner's Office of the Chinese Foreign Ministry in the HKSAR.

Though peace, development and win-win cooperation have remained the main theme of the times over the past 80 years, Li said the world has entered a new period of turbulence and transformation, emphasizing the need to strengthen global governance.

China is ready to work with Russia and all countries to enhance cooperation and improve global governance so as to create a brighter future of peace, stability, security, prosperity and progress for all, said Li.