China on Friday expressed strong indignation at the Japanese government's association of the suicide of a staff member at the Japanese Consulate General in Shanghai with the so-called "actions of Chinese agents."

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said it was a vicious act by Japan to intentionally smear China's image.

Japan said on Wednesday that local Chinese security authorities were believed to have taken regrettable actions behind the scene of the suicide in May last year.

The Japanese Foreign Ministry press secretary alleged the Chinese agents' actions were in violation of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, and claimed that since the incident occurred, the Japanese government had lodged protests and sought the "truth" of the case.

"It is a suicide case, and China and Japan had clearly defined the nature of the case one year and a half before," Qin told the press when asked to comment on Japan's recent allegations.

"Japan has completely ulterior motives to raise the old story again," Qin said, expressing strong indignation at the Japanese government for having taken such a vile action to intentionally destroy China's image.

Source: Xinhua