China lodged solemn representations to Japan over Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's sending a ritual offering to the controversial Yasukuni Shrine on Tuesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said.

Today marks the 78th anniversary of Japan's defeat and unconditional surrender as Chinese people, together with the people of the world, defeated the Japanese militarist aggressors and fascism to end the World War II, while Kishida sent a ritual offering to the Yasukuni Shrine, where World War II Class-A war criminals are honored.

In response, Wang said at a regular press briefing that "the negative move of Japanese political leaders on the issue of the Yasukuni Shrine once again shows the Japanese side's erroneous attitude toward historical issues." 

To face up to and deeply reflect on the history of aggression is a necessary prerequisite for Japan to resume the development of normal relations with its Asian neighbors in the post-war period, he stressed.

Wang urged the Japanese side to draw lessons from history, pursue peaceful development, make a clean break with militarism and avoid further losing the trust of its Asian neighbors and the international community.

(Cover: A view of Chinese Foreign Ministry. /CFP)