China on Thursday said that Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi should bear full responsibility for the fallout from his war shrine visit.
"Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's visit to the Yasukuni Shrine has resulted in very grave consequences, for which he should bear full responsibility," said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan.
Koizumi made his fifth visit to the shrine Monday since he took office in 2001, angering China and the Republic of Korea.
Chinese President Hu Jintao set forth proposals on developing Sino-Japanese relationship in Jakarta in April during his meeting with Koizumi, to which Koizumi expressed his agreement, said Kong.
"However, facts prove that Koizumi went back on his words," Kong said. The Japanese must take actions to meet their promise to treat history properly, and never do anything more to hurt the feelings of the victimized countries," said Kong. "This is the premise and basis of improving and developing Sino-Japanese relations."
Despite the strong opposition from China and other Asian countries, Prime Minister Koizumi broke his promise not to visit the shrine honoring 14 Class-A war criminals.
"We express our strong indignation and opposition," Kong said.
The indignation and opposition have been echoed by the international community, even in Japan, Kong said. "We noticed that many Japanese people also hold misgivings about Koizumi's shrine visit."
(Xinhua News Agency October 21, 2005)
