Japan 'should not deny history' (2)

Despite such warnings, war criminals are still worshipped at the Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo, Liu said. Senior Japanese officials often pay tribute to the shrine, Liu said, adding that "Japan's leaders have occasionally offered grudging apologies, but these have never convinced its neighbors".

"Worshipping war criminals is serious, while unjust territorial claims are dangerous," he said, referring to Japan's illegal "purchase" of the Diaoyu Islands, which belong to China.

Abundant historical records show that the islands have been an integral part of China's territory for centuries, he added.

Saying the recent tension between China and Japan is the result of the Japanese government's illegal "purchase" of the islands, Liu said: "The friction has been caused solely by Japan. China has made clear its position and expressed concerns to Japan on many levels, but Japan is intransigent."

Japan should learn from Europe, postwar Germany in particular, he said.

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