Dan Andrews, Bob Carr invited to Chinese military parade
Former Labor leaders Daniel Andrews and Bob Carr are on the guest list for an event in Beijing to commemorate the end of World War II.
Former Labor premiers Daniel Andrews and Bob Carr have been invited to a Chinese military parade, with the guest list also attracting the likes of Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un.
The event, to take place on September 3 at Tiananmen Square in Beijing, marks 80 years since the end of World War II.
The invitation from President Xi Jinping was also extended to the likes of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs People’s Republic of China.
Bob Carr, a former NSW Premier and foreign minister, has defended his decision to attend.
“China’s got a big celebration of its victory over Japan in World War II, that victory was with 20 million Chinese dead,” Mr Carr told news.com.
“That victory was a big part of the narrative of the Second World War.
“Because the Chinese resistance tied down one million Japanese troops, it meant that in 1942 the Japanese army simply overruled the Japanese Navy when they proposed an invasion of Australia.
“Their victory was part of our victory over fascism, and the Chinese are commemorating it, and I think it’s important for Australia be there.”
He said the suggestion that he shouldn’t attend because Putin and Iranians ould be there was no different to other international events.
“Well, that’s the case with international forums, and the Prime Minister, when he goes to the UN in September, will sit down in a general assembly where North Korea, Iran and Russia and other insalubrious states are represented to the hilt,” Mr Carr said.
Mr Carr said he was paying his own way to Beijing.
“I underline that. I’m paying my own way. I’m addressing two prestigious, two well regarded think tanks about Australia-China relations and I’m doing so off the back of Anthony Albanese’s progress in rebuilding the relationship, confirmed on his last visit (to China in July,” Mr Carr said.
“I expect to spend the bulk of the time, you know, reacting, interacting with representatives of ASEAN states who I got to know when I was minister, including Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia.”
China’s assistant foreign minister Hong Lei said the invitations had been extended to international friends who “forged profound friendship with the Chinese people”.
“The Chinese nation is a grateful nation that values friendship,” Mr Lei said, according to the Chinese ministry.
“We will forever remember their indomitable spirit, their selfless devotion and their noble character.”
Mr Andrews was the first Aussie leader to head over to China after the Covid-19 pandemic, and signed Victoria onto China’s Belt and Road economic initiative during his time as the state’s premier.
Originally published as Dan Andrews, Bob Carr invited to Chinese military parade
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