Wang said the shrine, which houses the memorial tablets of Class-A war criminals, is a symbol of Japan's aggression in contemporary history.

Therefore, how the Japanese side handles the visit to the shrine is not only an internal issue of Japan, but a touchstone of the Japanese government's attitude towards the history of aggression. It is also directly connected to the feelings of the people of China and other countries which were victims of Japanese aggression.

As the biggest victim nation of the aggressive war launched by Japanese militarists, China is obviously opposed to any form of visit to the shrine by the leader of the Japanese government, Wang stressed.

The vice-minister noted that the new Japanese cabinet has reiterated that the Japanese government will continue to hold the stance of acknowledging and making self-reflection on the history of aggression. It has also said it will strengthen coordination internationally and develop relations with neighboring nations.

However, a series of speeches made by the Japanese side on visiting the Yasukuni Shrine go against its aforementioned statement, and constitute a defiance and challenge to the feelings of people in victim countries, Wang said.

By doing this, the Japanese side can only damage its own image internationally, and once again lose the trust of the people in Asia on the history issue.

Wang said the Chinese government and people pay great attention to developing relations with Japan. The current Sino-Japanese friendly relations were not easily developed, for which several generations of the two peoples have made great efforts.

The plans of the Japanese side would be an explicit undermining of the political basis of Sino-Japanese relations, and therefore a dangerous move that would bring a severe negative impact on Sino-Japanese relations, Wang said.

China once again solemnly asks the Japanese side to take a responsible attitude towards the overall situation of Sino- Japanese relations, abide by the Sino-Japanese joint statement, the Sino-Japanese Treaty of Peace and Friendship and principles of the Sino-Japanese Joint Declaration.

The Japanese side should think before it leaps, and carefully handle serious problems in bilateral relations including the visit to the Yasukuni Shrine, Wang stressed.

(Xinhua 05/17/2001)