MANILA, April 4 (Xinhua) -- Staff from the Chinese embassy swept tombs on Wednesday for Philippine Chinese who died in the Philippines in their fights against Japanese aggressors during the Second World War.

The commemorations fell on the traditional Chinese Tomb Sweeping Day, during which Chinese people remember their late loved ones.

Tan Jiesheng, Charge d'affaires of the Chinese embassy, led the embassy staff members visiting the Manila Chinese Cemetery and laying flowers at the foot of the Philippine Chinese anti-Japanese War Heroes Monument.

Tan said during the ceremonies that the Philippine Chinese never forget their mother country. After Japan invaded China in the 1930s, the Philippine Chinese organized vast campaigns, throwing their weight behind China's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression.

When Japan invaded the Philippines on Dec. 8, 1941, the Philippine Chinese staged a guerrilla war, called "Wha Chi," fighting, alongside their Philippine comrades, against the Japanese army. More than 200 Philippine Chinese died during the war.

The guerrilla contingent is composed mainly of Chinese, whose previous generations came from China's southern Fujian and Guangdong provinces. It started with 52 members and expanded to more than 700.

"Our annual commemorative ceremonies not only extend our salute to the Philippine Chinese heroes but also show our respect to the friendship of the people from the Philippines and China," Tan said.

Dee Kong Hi, a 95-year-old Philippine Chinese veteran, witnessed Japan's atrocity in the Philippines during the Second World War. He joined the anti-Japanese "Wha Chi" in the Philippines at the age of 19.

Dee told Xinhua that he came to the commemorative ceremonies on Chinese Tomb Sweeping Day to honor his comrades-in-arms.

Some Philippine Chinese and members from Chinese media also joined the ceremonies.