Beijing, Aug 29 (IANS): UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and experts from around the world have lauded China's contribution and sacrifices during World War II (WWII).

It comments come shortly before China's September 3 parade to mark the 70th anniversary of its victory in the Anti-Japanese War, Xinhua news agency reported.

"China's contribution and sacrifice during the Second World War is very much recognized, (China is) appreciated for all such sufferings, and sympathized by the world's people," Ban said.

Japan invaded China in 1931 and conducted a full-scale invasion since 1937. By the end of World War II, more than 35 million Chinese were killed or wounded during the Japanese aggression.

The UN secretary-general will join 30 heads of state, including Russian President Vladimir Putin and Republic of Korea President Park Geun-hie, in attending the upcoming celebrations of the victory in the Anti-Japanese War.

Asked about his response to the reported Japanese concern on his upcoming China visit, the secretary-general said it was very important for the world community to learn from the past and move forward.

The Chinese people's contribution to the victory in World War II has been significantly underestimated until recently, said Nikolay Samoylov, an East Asia expert at St. Petersburg State University.

The Chinese people deserve credit for having faced the threat single-handedly in the early years of the war following the beginning of overt Japanese aggression in 1931, Samoylov said on the eve of the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II and the liberation of China from Japanese aggression.