In 2008 China will organise celebrations to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Dwarkadas Kotnis' visit to that country, Chinese President Hu Jintao said in Mumbai [ Images ] on Thursday.

The announcement came during his meeting with the three sisters and six other relatives of Kotnis at a south Mumbai hotel.

"The Chinese people continue to have a feeling of indebtedness for Kotnis," Hu said adding, that people of China will "forever cherish the great work" done by the doctor from Solapur in Maharashtra [ Images ].

"The work done by Kotnis would always be an ideal before us and serve as a link between the two countries," he said.

Born in Solapur in 1912, Kotnis volunteered to serve in China in 1938 during the Sino-Japan war, as part of an Indian medical team following an appeal made by the Indian National Congress. He worked tirelessly during 1938-1942 to treat injured Chinese soldiers.

Kotnis married a Chinese nurse in 1941. He died in China in 1942. A memorial for him has been built by the Chinese government.

The great humanitarian service rendered by Kotnis reached the masses through V Shantaram's [ Images ] feature film Dr Kotnis Ki Amar Kahani.