China lodges solemn representations over Japanese PM' shrine visit ( 2004-01-01 20:42) (Xinhua)
China Thursday expressed strong indignation at Japanese Prime Minister
Junichiro Koizumi's visit to the Yasukuni Shrine in disregard of the opposition
from people of China and other Asian countries. Chinese Vice Foreign Minister
Wang Yi lodged solemn representations over Koizumi's shrine visit and condemned
the act when he summoned the charge d'affaires ad interim of Japan to China to
an interview.
The shrine honors Class-A war criminals whose hands were blotted with blood
of people of China and other Asian countries, Wang said.
Prime Minister Koizumi' shrine visit not only went back on his promise to
reflect history but also impaired the political basis of Sino-Japanese
relations, he said.
The Chinese people cannot accept such actions by a Japanese leader, he
stressed.
"Taking history as a mirror and looking forward to the future" is the only
right attitude to historical issues, Wang stressed.
The Chinese Embassy to Japan also made solemn representations to the Japanese
government Thursday.
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