CRI听力:China Condemns Abe's War-linked Shrine Offering

The Chinese government is lashing out at Japan's Prime Minister for making another offering to the controversial Yasukuni Shrine.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Qin Gang.

"Japan should face up to and reflect on its past wartime history. Distancing itself from his past militarism is an important political foundation for Sino-Japanese ties. We urge Japan to adopt a correct attitude toward history and stop provocative acts. Japan should be trying to win the trust of its neighbors and the international community through practical action."

Shinzo Abe has made the offering to the Yasukuni Shrine on the first day of the three-day spring festival in Japan, which began today.

The move comes ahead of a visit this week to Japan by US President Barack Obama.

The United States has been critical of previous moves by the Japanese government when it comes to the Yasukuni issue, saying visits to the shrine continue to damage ties in the region.

South Korea has also denounced Abe's offering.

The Yasukuni Shrine honors 14 Japanese war criminals and is considered as a symbol of Japan's past militarism.

A group of Japanese families, religious activists and South Koreans have filed a lawsuit, claiming that Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's visits to the Yasukuni Shrine are unconstitutional and an infringement on the separation of church and state.

The group's lawyer is Yogo Kimura.

"In this lawsuit, we are looking to show that Prime Minister Abe's visit to Yasukuni Shrine last December 26 was against the separation of church and state and as such is unconstitutional. Additionally, we are looking for a verdict that will prevent future visits from taking place" .

The suit also calls for a cash settlement for each plantiff of 100-US dollars.