ISTANBUL

China's President Xi Jinping arrived in Moscow on Wednesday to attend the World War II victory commemoration, according to the Russian state news agency RIA.

During Xi's state visit, Chinese soldiers will participate in a military parade on Friday in Moscow's Red Square, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said.

The visit will take place from Wednesday through Saturday.

"No matter how the situation on the Taiwan island evolves or what troubles external forces may make, the historical trend toward China’s ultimate and inevitable reunification is unstoppable," Xi said in a piece he wrote for the Russian Gazette as published in state media Xinhua News.

Moscow "has reiterated on many occasions that it strictly adheres to the one-China principle, Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory, it opposes any form of 'Taiwan independence,' and it firmly supports all measures of the Chinese government and the Chinese people to achieve national reunification," said Xi, hailing "Russia’s consistent position," as well as on other issues.

Min Aung Hlaing, Myanmar's junta chief, also left for Moscow on Wednesday to attend the victory celebration, according to The Irrawaddy.

Moscow on Friday will host celebratory events, most notably a military parade, to mark the 80th anniversary of Victory Day, which is celebrated in Russia and various former Soviet countries on May 9 in commemoration of the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany during World War II.