China tells Abe to reflect on past aggression after Yasukuni visit

China on Tuesday told Japan to squarely face and reflect on its past aggression, following Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s ritual offering to the notorious Yasukuni Shrine.

Abe sent a masakaki tree as an offering to the shrine on Tuesday, which was the date of its annual autumn festival. Abe will reportedly refrain from visiting the shrine in person during the festival.

“China’s stance on the Yasukuni Shrine issue is clear and consistent,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang said at a regular news briefing.

“China has demanded Japan properly handle the issue and gain trust from its Asian neighbors and the international community through concrete action.”

South Korea on Tuesday also expressed its worry about Abe’s ritual offering to the notorious war-linked Yasukuni Shrine.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Noh Kyu-duk told a press briefing that an irresponsible Japanese politician sent an offering once again to the Yasukuni Shrine beautifying the history of an aggressive war.

China has repeatedly expressed opposition to Japanese leaders making offerings while visiting the shrine. The shrine honors 14 Class-A convicted war criminals among 2.5 million Japanese dead from World War II and is regarded as a symbol of Japan’s past militarism.

Visits and ritual offerings made by proxy to the infamous shrine by Japanese leaders and officials have consistently sparked strong criticism and hurt the feelings of China and South Korea and other countries brutalized by Japan during the Pacific War.

Noh urged the Japanese government to show its humble introspection and self-reflection with sincere actions based on a right perception of history.

Abe last visited the controversial shrine in December 2013, when his visit enraged China and South Korea and saw a strong backlash from the US, which said it was disappointed with Abe’s decision.