A Chinese defense spokesman on Saturday called the acts of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi in relation to the country's notorious Yasukuni Shrine "a blatant desecration of historical justice".

Takaichi made a ritual offering to the war-linked shrine, while Koizumi visited the location in central Tokyo on the anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War II.

According to Jiang Bin, a spokesman for China's Ministry of National Defense, the shrine, enshrining war criminals whose hands are stained with the blood of the people of Asia-Pacific countries, is a spiritual tool and symbol of the Japanese militarism that waged wars of aggression against other countries in the Asia-Pacific region.

"The relevant acts of Japanese politicians are a blatant desecration of historical justice and seriously hurt the feelings of the victimized countries in the Asia-Pacific region," Jiang said.

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He added that the aim of the acts was the cover-up and denial of criminal responsibility for aggression, as well as challenging the outcomes of the World Anti-Fascist War and the postwar international order.

While paying lip service to the pursuit of peace, they are paying homage to the chief culprits of the war of aggression, Jiang said.

"Such hypocrisy fully exposes the severely distorted view of history held by the Japanese right-wing forces and their dangerous scheme to revive militarism," he added.

Jiang stressed that facing up to its history of aggression and conducting a deep reflection on responsibility for the war constitute the political foundation for Japan to develop relations with its Asian neighbors.

Noting that this year marks the 80th anniversary of the opening of the Tokyo Trials, the spokesman urged Japan to learn from history and stop its perverse acts.

"If Japan insists on advancing 'neo-militarism' and becomes a source of trouble that undermines regional peace, it will once again face the judgment of justice and be condemned by history," Jiang said.