CHANGCHUN -- Nine Japanese citizens, all of whom are descendants of Japanese invaders in China during World War II, on Thursday began a trip of confession and apology in China.

The delegation arrived in Changchun, the capital city of Northeast China's Jilin province, on Thursday afternoon. The main purpose of their trip is to express their sincere apologies to the Chinese people on behalf of older generations of their families who committed crimes of aggression.

During the five-day trip, the delegation will make a formal apology at a site once occupied by invading Japanese troops in Jilin's Gongzhuling city.

They will also present Changchun Normal University with the gift of a significant number of documents related to the invasion of China from Japanese historical archives for further research.

The tour also aims to call on the international community to remember history and cherish peace, said Li Suzhen, head of the delegation.