Shrine visit a matter of principle, FM spokesman

China's foreign strategy or policy towards Japan is the adherence to "taking history as a mirror and looking forward to the future" and commitment to developing with Japan good-neighborly relations generation after generation, said Liu Jianchao, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman at a regular conference on June 16.

Liu said so when asked to comment on the remarks made by Makoto Koga, former secretary general of Japanese Liberal Democratic Party on June 11.

Koga said that with regard to the issue of visiting the Yasukuni shrine, Japanese prime minister Junichiro Koizumi should take into consideration the feelings of Japan's neighboring countries and seek their understanding.

Long-term friendly relations are in the interests of both peoples, Liu said.

There are different opinions in Japan concerning the issue of shrine visits by Japanese officials, Liu said. Some people put forward views and propositions that are favorable to Sino-Japanese friendship and to improving bilateral relations. Such opinions deserve attention from the Japanese government. Liu added, China also regards the issue of Japanese leaders' shrine visits itself a matter of principle; it's not merely an issue of emotion.

China hopes Japanese leaders could earnestly realize how sensitive and how serious the issue is and therefore win the trust of the international community as well as Japan's Asian neighbors with real actions.

By People's Daily Online