On Thursday, China defended its choice to invite Russia and North Korea’s leaders to World War II commemorations, amid Trump’s accusations that the event was being used to “conspire” against the U.S.
After North Korea’s Kim Jong Un and Russia’s Vladimir Putin appeared with Xi Jinping at a major Beijing military parade, Trump posted a sharp message to Beijing on Truth Social.
“Give my warmest regards to Vladimir Putin, and Kim Jong Un, as you conspire against The United States of America,” Trump wrote.
When asked about Trump’s post, Beijing’s foreign ministry said on Thursday, August 4th, that “foreign guests” had been invited to mark 80 years since the end of World War II.
“It is to work together with peace-loving countries and peoples to remember history, cherish the memory of the martyrs, cherish peace, and create the future,” spokesman Guo Jiakun told reporters.
“China’s development of diplomatic relations with any country is never directed against any third party,” he said.
On Wednesday, the Kremlin commented that Trump’s claim was “not without irony.”
By contrast, China reacted strongly to remarks by the European Union’s top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, who criticized the parade. Kallas said on Wednesday that Xi, Putin, and Kim appearing together was part of efforts to build an anti-Western “new world order” and was “a direct challenge to the international system built on rules.”
“The remarks made by a certain EU official are full of ideological bias, lack basic historical knowledge, and blatantly stir up confrontation and conflict,” Guo said Thursday. “Such statements are profoundly misguided and utterly irresponsible.”
