China deplores Japanese politicians paying respects to Yasukuni Shrine

The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Saturday strongly deplored Japanese politicians paying respects to the Yasukuni Shrine, and has lodged serious protests with the Japanese side.

August 15 marks the day of Japan's unconditional surrender in World War II. Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba sent a ritual offering to the Yasukuni Shrine, and Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Shinjiro Koizumi; Minister of Finance Katsunobu Kato; and rightwing politicians including Takayuki Kobayashi and Koichi Hagiuda visited the Shrine.

In response to a related query, a spokesperson for the Ministry said the Yasukuni Shrine is a spiritual tool and symbol of Japanese militarists' war of aggression against foreign nations.

The shrine honors 14 convicted Class-A war criminals who bear grave responsibilities for the war crimes committed during that war of aggression, the spokesperson noted, adding that China strongly deplores Japan's actions that grossly challenge historical justice and human conscience. "We have lodged serious protests with the Japanese side."

Noting that this year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, the spokesperson said viewing and treating history correctly is an important prerequisite for Japan's post-war return to the international community, the political foundation of Japan's relations with its neighboring countries, and a yardstick for its commitment to peaceful development.

The spokesperson urged Japan to face squarely and reflect on its history of aggression, be prudent on historical issues such as the Yasukuni Shrine, make a clean break with militarism, stick to the path of peaceful development, and earn the trust of its Asian neighbors and the international community through real actions.