Esther Imonmion
China on Thursday defended its decision to invite Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to World War II commemorations in Beijing, after former U.S. President Donald Trump accused them of conspiring against America.
Trump, writing on Truth Social, lashed out at Chinese President Xi Jinping after Kim and Putin joined him at a massive military parade in Beijing marking 80 years since the end of World War II.
“Give my warmest regards to Vladimir Putin, and Kim Jong Un, as you conspire against The United States of America,” Trump wrote.
Responding to the post, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said the commemorations were about peace, not rivalry.
“Foreign guests were invited to commemorate history, honor the martyrs, cherish peace, and create the future,” Guo told reporters. “China’s development of diplomatic relations with any country is never directed against any third party.”
The Kremlin also dismissed Trump’s claim. Senior aide Yuri Ushakov told Russian state television on Wednesday that Trump’s post was likely meant in jest.
“I think, not without irony, he said that these three are allegedly plotting against the United States,” Ushakov said.