BEIJING, Oct. 17 -- China on Tuesday told Japan to squarely face and reflect on its past aggression, following Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's ritual offering to the notorious Yasukuni Shrine.

Abe sent a masakaki tree as an offering to the shrine on Tuesday, which was the date of its annual autumn festival. Abe will reportedly refrain from visiting the shrine in person during the festival.

"China's stance on the Yasukuni Shrine issue is clear and consistent," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang said at a regular news briefing. "China has demanded Japan properly handle the issue and gain trust from its Asian neighbors and the international community through concrete action."

China has repeatedly expressed opposition to Japanese leaders making offerings and visiting the shrine. The shrine honors 14 Class-A convicted war criminals among 2.5 million Japanese war dead from WWII and is regarded as a symbol of Japan's past militarism.