2015年CRI China Criticizes Abe's Offering to Controversial Shrine（在线收听）

Chinese officials have criticized Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's offering to the controversial Yasukuni Shrine during the autumn festival.

Japan's Justice Minister and Internal Affairs and Communications Minister visited the shrine on Sunday, a day after Abe sent a tree as an offering.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said, "The Yasakuni shrine honours Japan's war dead, including 14 Class-A war criminals who were responsible for atrocities committed during World War II. China has always been opposing visits and offerings to the shrine by Japanese officials. We calls on Japan to face up to history and deeply reflect on its past aggression, make a clean break from militarism and gain trust from its neighbors and the international community with real action."

The shrine is also regarded as a symbol of past Japanese militarism.

Visits to the infamous shrine by Japanese leaders and officials have always sparked strong criticism from China and South Korea.