China said on Thursday that it aims to improve ties with Japan by holding activities marking the 60th anniversary of the repatriation of 1.05 million Japanese emigrants.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu told a regular news briefing that the purpose of these activities is to promote the mutual trust and understanding between the two peoples and ameliorate the bilateral ties.

A forum on China-Japan relations and other commemorative activities that mark the 60th anniversary of the repatriation will be held from June 24 to 26 in Huludao, North China's Liaoning Province by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and the Liaoning provincial government.

The repatriation reflects the benevolence and humanitarian spirit of Chinese people, said Jiang, adding that both sides should value and cherish the hard-earned China-Japan relations.

On May 7, 1946, nine months after Japan surrendered to the Allies, about 2,500 Japanese emigrants began their voyage home from Huludao, marking the beginning of the repatriation.

Source: Xinhua