Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao has urged Japan to take substantial and sincere measures to improve China-Japan relations.

Liu told a press conference on Tuesday that Japanese leaders' repeated visits to the Yasukuni Shrine honoring committed war criminals of World War II have brought the China-Japan relations to the current difficult situation.

China has always taken a clear and firm attitude on the issue, which is also stated clearly in the three political documents signed by the two countries.

"We hope that the Japanese side cast away illusions and stop seeking excuses to whitewash history, or even shift the responsibility onto the Chinese side," Liu said.

Referring to the China visit of Japan's Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Toshihiro Nikai, Liu confirmed that Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and State councilor Tang Jiaxuan will meet with Nikai.

When asked to comment on current China-Japan economic ties, Liu said bilateral economic cooperation is generally good at present.

"But we hope the Japanese side would take a sincere attitude to resolve the existing political difficulties, " Liu said.

Source: Xinhua