China rejects Abe's offer to explain shrine visit

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe says he plans to talk in person with the leaders of China and South Korea following his controversial visit to the Yasukuni Shrine. China.s Foreign Ministry has rejected the offer, saying Chinese leaders will not talk to him.

China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said, "On Sino-Japanese relations, Abe has miscalculated and made mistake after mistake. He visited the Yasukuni Shrine where convicted Class-A World War II war criminals are worshipped. Those criminals planned, launched and implemented the war of aggression, making them historical criminals who were convicted at the International Military Tribunal of the Far East. They were Asia.s Nazis.

"The Chinese people do not welcome such a Japanese leader, nor are the Chinese leaders likely to talk to him."

Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Qin Gang said Abe.s visit to the Yasukuni Shrine deliberately damaged the political foundation of Sino-Japanese relations and created severe obstacles in bilateral exchanges. He said Abe.s act was against the will of the two peoples and will ultimately hurt Japan.s interests.

The spokesman said a growing number of Japanese people and media have criticized Abe. He said China is willing to jointly uphold historical justice and maintain Sino-Japanese relations based on the "four political documents" between China and Japan.