China’s Defense Ministry said on May 11 that China has invited Russian troops to march in a parade in September commemorating the end of World War II.

The announcement came after China’s President Xi Jinping attended a parade in Moscow on May 9 marking the 70th anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II.

The Defense Ministry in Beijing said Xi’s visit to Russia and his appearance at the Moscow commemorations “pushed the China-Russia all-round strategic partnership relationship to a new level.

Western leaders boycotted the Moscow parade in protest over Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea and its support for pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine.

Based on reporting by Reuters and Xinhua