China urges Japan to reflect on history

BEIJING - China on Wednesday urged Japan to abide by its commitment to recognize and examine its history of aggression so as to gain trust from victim countries as well as the international community.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei made the comments when answering a question about Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's decision not to visit the Yasukuni Shrine on August 15, the 68th anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War II.

According to Japanese media, instead of a visit, Abe will offer sacrifice fee to the notorious shrine, which honors the Japanese war dead, including 14 Class-A war criminals during World War II.

Hong said the attitude of Japanese leaders toward the Yasukuni Shrine shows whether Japan can examine and reflect on its history of militarism, and respect the feelings of people from victim countries, including China.

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"We urge the Japanese side to abide by its commitment to recognize and reflect on its aggression history, and speak and act cautiously on related issues, so to win trust from victim countries and their people as well as the international community, " said Hong.

Visits to the shrine by Japanese ministers and lawmakers have sparked strong opposition from China and South Korea, both of which suffered from Japan's aggression.