On May 17, 2001, Vice Foreign Minister Wang Yi summoned the Japanese Ambassador to China Anami Koreshige and stated the solemn position of China on the question of Yasukuni Shrine.

Wang pointed out that the Yasukuni Shrine, which still houses the memorial tablets of top war criminals, is a symbol of expansion and aggression in Japan's modern history. How Japan approaches the issue of paying homage to the Yasukuni Shrine is by no means just an internal matter of Japan, but a touchstone of the government attitude of Japan toward its history of aggression. It also has a direct bearing on the feelings of the peoples of those countries victimized by the war including China. Wang stressed that as the largest victim nation of the war of aggression launched by Japanese militarism, China naturally opposes visits to the Yasukunsi Shrine in whatever form by government leaders of Japan.

Wang said that the new Japanese cabinet has stated repeatedly since its inception that the Japanese Government will continue to follow the position of recognizing and expressing remorse over the history of aggression. It has emphasized that it will strengthen international coordination and develop relations with its close neighbors. Yet a series of recent remarks by the Japanese side on the question of Yasukuni Shrine run counter to those statements. They also show contempt for and are provocative to the feelings of the peoples of victim nations. This conduct of Japan can only further damage the international image of Japan itself, making Japan once again losing its credibility to people in Asia on the question of history.

Wang stressed that the Chinese Government and people attach great importance to the friendly relations between China and Japan. Today's China-Japan relations have not come by easily, representing the painstaking efforts by several generations in both countries. The acts of the Japanese side are apparently aimed at fundamentally shaking the political foundation of bilateral relations, a very dangerous act that will inevitably have a very serious and negative impact on future China-Japan ties. China once again solemnly asks the Japanese side to honor, in a responsible approach to the overall interests of bilateral relations, the various principles set fourth in China-Japan Joint Statement, China-Japan Treaty of Peace and Friendship and China-Japan Joint Declaration, think twice before taking any action, and prudently handle the serious issues presently facing bilateral relations including the issue of visiting the Yasukuni Shrine.