China rebuked Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso on his remarks about a museum at the Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo, urging the Japanese side to deal with the shrine issue in a reasonable and responsible manner. Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said in a regular press briefing yesterday in Beijing.

Liu said the government urges Japan to be aware of the seriousness and sensitivity of the Yasukuni Shrine problem, and take a rational and responsible attitude toward it.

"This is the only choice for Japan to improve relations with Asian neighbors and to work together for our future," he said.

It has been reported that Japanese Foreign Minister Aso Taro claimed recently that the Yushukan Museum at the shrine, which honors 14 Class-A war criminals among about 2 million other Japanese war dead, does not beautify Japan's war of aggression but reflects the situation at that time.

"We were shocked by his remarks," Liu said.

He said the shrine denies history and glorifies Japanese militarism, and the museum is the core facility advocating a "Yasukuni history concept."

"This is acknowledged by all people of the world, and his denial has only proven he has no courage to face history," Liu said.

(Xinhua News Agency November 23, 2005)