Q: August 15 marks the day of Japan’s unconditional surrender in the Second World War. 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. What is China’s comment?

A: 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. China strongly deplores Japan’s actions that grossly challenge historical justice and human conscience. We have lodged serious protests with the Japanese side.

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. 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. We urge 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.