Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning stated that Takaichi presented both a ritual offering and a monetary contribution.

Mao added that several Japanese government officials, the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP)’s leaders, and members of Parliament had also recently visited the shrine.

The spokesperson affirmed that China firmly opposes those actions and lodged formal diplomatic representations and a vigorous protest with Japan.

The official stated that the Yasukuni Shrine serves as a symbol of Japanese militarism and houses the memorial tablets of 14 Class-A war criminals, who were convicted for aggression during World War II.

Visits by Japanese politicians to the Yasukuni Shrine frequently trigger diplomatic tensions with China and other Asian nations affected by Japan’s military expansion during the first half of the 20th century.

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