Russia and China Celebrate Japanese Surrender in World War II

Russian servicemen drive T-72 main battle tanks during a parade to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of the World War II in the Far eastern city of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, Russia, Sept. 2, 2015.



Russia staged a military parade on Wednesday to commemorate Imperial Japan's surrender at the end of World War II — a defeat that resulted in the Soviet Union seizing a group of Japanese islands, prompting a diplomatic dispute that continues to this day.



On the same day of Russia's military celebration, President Vladimir Putin traveled to Beijing for a series of Russia-China talks, as well as to observe China's Victory Day parade, celebrating the 70th anniversary of Japan's defeat in World War II.



The two military parades were in part intended to demonstrate the growing ties between Russia and China as Moscow's relations with the West sour over its involvement in the Ukrainian conflict and annexation of Crimea last year.

Russian servicemen dressed in historical uniform march.

A local resident watches Russian servicemen marching.

China's President Xi Jinping (C, behind) gestures as he delivers a speech behind Russia's President Vladimir Putin (R), South Korea's President Park Geun-hye (C) and Kazakhstan's President Nursultan Nazarbayev on Tiananmen Gate during a military parade to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, in Beijing, China, Sept. 3, 2015.

Members of military band sing during the military parade.

Russian soldiers march during the military parade in Beijing.

Military nurses look from atop a truck towards Chinese President and other leaders.

China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) navy soldiers roll on their armored vehicles to Tiananmen Square.

Chinese unmanned aerial vehicles are presented.

Anti-aircraft artilleries drive past Tiananmen Gate.

People's Liberation Army aircraft and vehicles drive in formation past the Tiananmen Gate.

Doves are released as a crowd looks up.

Military helicopters form the number "70."