China urges Japan to take right attitude towards issues of history
( 2001-05-15 20:54 ) (8 )

China hopes that Japan could take the right attitude towards issues of history, to prevent bilateral relationship from being affected, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Sun Yuxi said in Beijing Tuesday.

Japan should honor its commitments on the issues and act discreetly, Sun said while commenting on reports of Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's plan to visit Yasukuni Shrine, which is dedicated to Japan's war dead, including Class-A war criminals.

He said the shrine is a symbol of Japanese aggression of other countries. Visiting the shrine actually reflects the attitude of the Japanese government and leaders towards Japan's history of aggression.

On Sino-Japanese relationship, he said, China has always hoped that bilateral relationship could develop by expanding cooperation and people-to-people exchanges.

"China has made such efforts," he added.

The spokesman stressed that the principles laid down in a series of documents signed by the two countries constitute the political foundation of Sino-Japanese relationship, which must be maintained for the bilateral ties to grow.