China strongly condemns Japan's latest Yasukuni Shrine moves

China on Monday strongly condemned recent visits to Tokyo's Yasukuni Shrine by Japanese politicians, saying the moves reflect a deeply rooted erroneous view of history and raise concerns over Japan's remilitarization.

"We firmly oppose and strongly condemn Japan's negative moves," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a regular press conference. China has lodged serious representations with Japan and expressed strong protest.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi offered ritual items and a monetary donation to Yasukuni Shrine on October 17 and 19. Several Japanese government officials, ruling Liberal Democratic Party politicians and lawmakers have also visited the shrine.

Yasukuni Shrine is a symbol and spiritual tool of Japanese militarism and its wars of aggression, Mao said. It honors 14 Class-A war criminals convicted after World War II, including wartime leaders held responsible for Japan’s aggression.

"Japanese leaders and politicians know this well, yet they still pay homage to the shrine," Mao said. Their actions, she added, expose their "deeply rooted erroneous perception of history" and "sinister intentions" to exonerate war criminals, whitewash Japan's aggression and pave the way for remilitarization.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the opening of the Tokyo Trial, Mao noted. "We once again urge Japan to face up to its history, reflect on its wartime responsibility and stop going against the tide on historical issues," Mao said, calling on Tokyo to take concrete actions to win the trust of its Asian neighbors and the international community.