China strongly condemns Japan's moves over Yasukuni Shrine: spokesperson

(ECNS) -- China firmly opposes and strongly condemns Japan's negative moves over the Yasukuni Shrine and has lodged serious representations and strong protests with the Japanese side, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said Monday.

Mao made the remarks at a regular press conference when asked to comment on Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's ritual and cash offerings to the Yasukuni Shrine on Oct. 17 and 19, as well as recent visits to the shrine by Japanese government officials, Liberal Democratic Party politicians and members of the Diet.

The Yasukuni Shrine is a spiritual tool and symbol of Japanese militarists' war of aggression, Mao said. It honors 14 convicted Class-A war criminals responsible for Japan's aggression.

Japanese leaders and politicians know this fully well but still pay respects at the shrine, which reveals their deep-seated wrong view on historical issues and malicious intention to erase the criminal record of those war criminals, reverse the verdict on aggression and clear the path for remilitarization, Mao added.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the opening of the Tokyo Trials. China once again calls on Japan to recognize history, repent for historical crimes, stop its retrogressive moves on historical issues, and earn the trust of its Asian neighbors and the international community through concrete actions, Mao said.

(By Evelyn Zhao)