A delegation from the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) visited China from Aug 31 to Sept 5 at the invitation of the Chinese government to inspect operations related to abandoned chemical weapons left by Japan during World War II.

The delegation included the OPCW director-general, the chairperson of the executive council, and permanent representatives and senior diplomats from 12 countries. During the visit, they traveled to Hunchun, Dunhua, and Haerbaling in Northeast China's Jilin province to observe the excavation, recovery, and destruction of abandoned chemical weapons.

At a news conference on Sept 7, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said the visit took place around the anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.

Mao said the visit helped participants better understand the serious threats posed by abandoned chemical weapons to people's lives and property, as well as the environment. She called on Japan to fulfill its obligations under the Convention on the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons and accelerate the destruction of the weapons abandoned in China.

China said it hoped the efforts would help restore safe and clean environments for local communities and contribute to the broader goal of a world free of chemical weapons.