Update: China urges Japan to be prudent on historical issues such as Yasukuni Shrine: spokesperson

BEIJING, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- China urges 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, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said Saturday.

The spokesperson made the remarks when asked to comment on Japanese politicians paying respects to the Yasukuni Shrine.

Aug. 15 marks the day of Japan's unconditional surrender in the Second World War.

According to media reports, 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.

The spokesperson said the Yasukuni Shrine is a spiritual tool and symbol of Japanese militarists' war of aggression against foreign nations, adding that the shrine honors 14 convicted Class-A war criminals who bear grave responsibilities for the war crimes committed during that war of aggression.

"China strongly deplores Japan's actions that grossly challenge historical justice and human conscience. We have lodged serious protests with the Japanese side," said the spokesperson.

Noting that this year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, the spokesperson said to view and treat history correctly is an important prerequisite for Japan's post-war return to the international community.

It is the political foundation of Japan's relations with neighboring countries, and more importantly, a yardstick for Japan's commitment to peaceful development, the spokesperson added. ■