China on Monday voiced the hope that the Japanese government and its leaders would fulfill their remarks and commitments on Japan's remorse over its aggressive history with concrete actions.

Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi issued a statement on the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II on Monday, apologizing to the victims of Japan's past aggression and expressing readiness to join hands with Asian neighbors like China and the Republic of Korea to help maintain peace in the region.

"We've noticed Prime Minister Koizumi's statement," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan said, when asked to comment on Koizumi's remarks.

He said taking a serious and responsible attitude toward its militaristic aggressive history serves Japan's long-term and fundamental interests.

"We hope that the Japanese government and its leaders would fulfill their commitments with concrete actions," he said.

The statement, which the Japanese Cabinet adopted earlier in the day, was the first of its kind issued by a prime minister on the anniversary since 1995.

"Our country has caused tremendous damage and pain to the peoples of many countries, especially Asian countries, through colonial rule and invasion. Humbly acknowledging such facts of history, I once again reflect most deeply and offer apologies from my heart as well as express my condolences to all the victims of the last major war both in and out of the country," Koizumi said in the statement.

Amid Koizumi's apologizing statement, two Japanese cabinet ministers and a group of lawmakers on Monday visited Tokyo's Yasukuni Shrine, which honors 14 notorious Class-A war criminals responsible for the country's aggressive war against Asian neighbors.

Spokesman Kong said that Japan's correct view of its militaristic aggressive history is a prerequisite for the country to gain trust from its Asian neighbors and the international community. "It is also the political foundation of improving Sino-Japan ties."

Kong said Japanese politicians' visits to the shrine on the occasion of the 60th anniversary marking the victory of China's war of resistance against Japanese aggression and the victory in the war against fascists, indicates that those politicians haven't made a "correct" choice on the key issue as expected by the "international community."

Kong said as a country which was seriously victimized by the Japanese militaristic aggression, China strongly requests the Japanese government properly view its history and reflect on it with concrete actions and stop doing things that harm the feelings of the people in the victim countries.

The shrine was set up in 1869 under Emperor Meiji to honor those who died in civil and foreign wars. Class-A war criminals from World War II were added to the list of the enshrined at the shrine in 1978.

Source: Xinhua