China Headlines: When will tombs in China get wreaths from Abe?

German Chancellor Angela Merkel arrived in Moscow Sunday to remember war victims as Russia continues to mark the 70th anniversary of the victory of the Great Patriotic War, Russia's term for World War II.

Though not present at the military parade at Red Square on Saturday -- the largest since the fall of the former Soviet Union in 1991 -- the German leader laid wreaths on the Tomb of Unknown Soldiers at Red Square with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Merkel also attended events in Moscow to mark the 65th anniversary five year ago.

The chancellor's actions reflect her nation's acknowledgement of the role it played in one of the darkest chapters in human history, setting an example for Japan, which is also a former fascist power.

A WREATH FROM ABE?

In speeches he gave to the U.S. Congress and the Asian-African Summit in Indonesia, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe expressed "deep remorse" over WWII but stopped short of issuing an apology, drawing ire from neighbors, including China and the Republic of Korea.

With China's own WWII commemorations in the near future, the world is watching closely and wondering whether Abe make any attempt to reconcile with Japan's victim nations.

Such moves are important because most Japanese leaders have not yet reflected or apologized for wartime aggression, especially not to the extent that Germany has for the Holocaust.

Observers say that Japan can only secure the trust of its neighbors by being honest about history.

A similar message was conveyed by Merkel when she was in Japan in March. She said that "facing history squarely" and "generous gestures" were necessary to mend ties.

China's events to mark the victory of WWII are not aimed to fan the flames of animosity but rather to remember history and those that died in the war, as well as to celebrate peace and look forward to the future.

When asked whether Beijing would invite Japanese leaders to its commemorative events in March, Wang Yi, Chinese foreign minister and a former Chinese envoy to Japan, said China welcomed "anyone who was sincere about coming."

WAR AGAINST JAPAN INTEGRAL TO VICTORY

As the main Asian battlefield in WWII, China made great sacrifices.

China's anti-Japanese war in the 1930s and 1940s was an important part of the WWII. More than 35 million Chinese were either killed or injured during over eight years of conflict.

In the eight years from 1937, allied forces killed and wounded about 1.95 million Japanese soldiers. About 70 percent of these casualties fell on battlefields in China.

Many Japanese troops were held back from the Soviet Union and Europe in Chinese territory.

China's contribution to the eventual defeat of Japanese militarism and fascist forces helped to usher in of a new era of world peace.

Due to its contribution, China became a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.

EFFORTS NOT CONFINED TO ASIA

Chinese servicemen also fought in Europe.

Huang Tingxin, the Chinese mainland's last veteran of the D-Day campaign, died at the age of 91 in 2009.

A quote on the cover of Huang's book reads: "History is remembered for everlasting peace."

In 1942, Huang and 23 other young naval officers were dispatched to study and fight in Britain.

Huang was deployed as deputy watch officer on an escort carrier. He took part in the invasion of Normandy on D-Day, June 6, 1944. He also fought at a landing operation with the Allied forces at southern France's Toulon on Aug. 15, 1944.

"Some Chinese soldiers fought on the front line. My comrade Guo Chengsen showered thousands of artillery shells on the Nazis," Huang recalled.

In 2006, Huang was made a Chevalier of the National Order of the Legion of Honor, France's highest recognition of merit. Upon receiving the medal, Huang said: "The honor goes to all the Chinese soldiers who fought."

On May 7, Chinese veteran Lu Baoping, 97, was granted a medal for his great contribution to the Great Patriotic War, Russia's term for WWII, by the Russian Embassy in China on behalf of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Lu joined the anti-Japanese allied forces in 1942 and was stationed in the Soviet Union for three years.

According to the Russian Embassy in China, Russia plans to grant 54 medals to Chinese citizens for their contributions to mark the 70th anniversary of the victory of WWII. Endit