The Chinese government has released a new statement, criticizing the latest visit to the Yasukuni Shrine by Japanese officials.
Around 150 Japanese lawmakers visited the shrine today in Tokyo.
The mass visit comes a day after Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe made the offering to the controversial Shrine on the first day of the three-day spring festival in Japan.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Qin Gang.
"The Yasukuni Shrine is a negative asset for Japan. If Japan's leaders insist on carrying it, this negative asset will get heavier and heavier. Unfortunately, it became heavier in just one night."
The Yasukuni Shrine honors 14 Japanese war criminals and is considered as a symbol of Japan's past militarism.
Frequent visits to the shrine by Japanese officials have triggered strong oppostiion from countries in the region invaded during Japan's military expansion at the start of the 20th century.
