China urges Japan to honor its promise

Japan's main opposition Leberal Democratic Party leader Shinzo Abe (C) is surrounded by the media after visiting the Yasukuni Shrine for the war dead in Tokyo, in this photo taken by Kyodo October 17, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

BEIJING- Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said Wednesday that Japan should strictly abide by its promise regarding historical issues and handle related issues in a responsible way.

Hong made the remarks when asked to comment on a Wednesday visit made by Japanese Liberal Democratic Party leader Shinzo Abe to the Yasukuni Shrine, which enshrines many of Japan's war dead, including several war criminals.

Issues regarding the shrine concern the Japanese side's correct understanding and treatment of the history of the Japanese military invasion, as well as the feelings of the people of the countries it invaded, Hong said.

He stressed that China's position on the issue has always been consistent and clear, urging Japan to handle historical issues by using history as a mirror and looking toward the future.