CRI听力:Chinese President Honors Russian Veterans

88-year-old veteran Schudlo Taras Georgievich is one of the over 1.5 million the Soviet troops who assisted China during World War II.

Georgievich recalls that Chinese people's selflessness really motivated them.

"Transportation was the most difficult thing then. So was the supply of water and food. What I want to say is local Chinese people helped us a lot. It's fair to say that they were supporting us with marvelous devotion. They were actually very poor at the time, and would eat corns or sorghums only. "

Georgievich has been invited many times to China in the past years due to his deep friendship with Chinese people.

His room is housing many souvenirs from China, including a TV set as a gift from Chinese leaders in 2005, the 60th anniversary of victory in the world anti-fascist war.

Georgievich says he and his veteran buddies want to do what they can for the friendship between China and Russia.

"Nowadays, we veterans are still doing our utmost to tell Russian people about the development of China, to let them know the actual China, Chinese soldiers, normal Chinese people, and the Communist Party of China."

During his visit to Russia, Chinese President Xi Jinping has chaired a special event to thank for the contribution of the Russian veterans who helped China in fighting against Japanese invaders in the 1930s and 40s.

Xi Jinping spoke highly of the veteran's contribution to China and to the global fight against fascism.

"Upon the 70th anniversary of the victories in China's War of against Japanese Invasion and the war against fascism, I really feel excited to meet you here in Moscow. Many of you once participated in the battles to help liberate Chinese cities like Changchun, Shenyang, Mudanjiang and Dalian, making a great contribution to the victory of the Chinese people in the Sino-Japanese war."

China and Russia suffered the biggest number of casualties among their nationals of all countries involved in the World War II, respectively over 35 million and 27 million.