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 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.

"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 feature film Dr Kotnis Ki Amar Kahani.