China and Russia to start search for Soviet soldiers' remains

HARBIN -- China and Russia will start a joint search for the remains of Soviet soldiers who died in China during World War II (WWII), said authorities in Northeast China's Heilongjiang province on Thursday.

A team of six from Russia has arrived in Muleng City, Heilongjiang to start preliminary surveying, according to Peng Xudong, vice director with the foreign affairs office in Mudanjiang, which administers Muleng.

They will search Huoshao Mountain and three adjacent villages, Peng said.

The Soviet Union Red Army sent troops to Northeast China on August 9, 1945, where they helped defeat the invading Japanese. A total of 388 Soviet soldiers died in the battle of Huoshao Mountain.

The remains of four soldiers and their weapons and breastplates were found near the battlefield earlier.

Peng noted that Russia has prepared for the search for more than two years. The preliminary survey is expected to be completed next Thursday, while a one-month search will start on May 10. A total of 17 people from Russia will join the efforts.

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the ally's victory in WWII. President Xi Jinping is scheduled to attend Moscow's commemoration of the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany. China is also planning commemorative events, including a military parade, and will invite foreign leaders to China for the celebrations.