China urges Japan to keep commitments Shrine

BEIJING - A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Friday that China urges Japan to keep its commitments regarding its invasion history and win international trust through concrete efforts.

Hong Lei made the remarks at a regular press briefing when asked to comment on a report of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's plan to offer sacrifices in late April to the Yasukuni Shrine, the notorious site that honors Japanese war criminals of World War II.

Hong said the crux of the Yasukuni Shrine matter is whether Japan correctly sees and treats its history of invasion, and respects the feelings of people in Asian countries including China.

"Only when Japan faces up to the past can it embrace the future," he added.