BEIJING, June 23 (Xinhua) -- China on Tuesday welcomed warming relations between the Republic of Korea (ROK) and Japan.

"We are happy to see the ROK and Japan develop relations," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang said at a daily press briefing.

He expressed hope that the development of ROK-Japan ties will help realize sustained regional peace and stability, and that will help propel relevant countries to stick to a path of peaceful development as well.

Leaders of the ROK and Japan on Monday attended ceremonies in their respective capitals marking the 50th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic ties, according to reports.

Relations between the two nations have been strained in recent years due to territorial disputes and Japan's wartime past.