TOKYO, June 2 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese people's opposition to Japanese leaders' visits to the Yasukuni Shrine is a natural manifestation of their feelings, given China's painful losses wrung by Japan's aggression, Chinese Commerce Minister Bo Xilai said here.

    Bo made the remarks in an interview with Japanese media including NHK and Nippon Keizai Shimbun during his recent visit to Japan to take part in a Japan-China forum on energy saving on May 27-29.

    Japanese leaders' paying homage to the Yasukuni Shrine that honors convicted Japanese war criminals has severely hurt the Chinese people's feelings and damaged the political foundation for bilateral ties, Bo said.

    Japan's aggression inflicted a historical catastrophe on China, including more than 21 million deaths, and the Class A war criminals honored at the Yasukuni Shrine were among the chief culprits, Bo said.

    Therefore, he added, Japanese leaders' paying homage to the shrine is definitely unacceptable to the Chinese people, the minister said.

    Sharing a common cultural background, both Chinese and Japanese peoples uphold the spirit of filial piety, which should make it easier for the Japanese people to understand the Chinese people's anger and pain when some Japanese leaders pay homage to the shrine, the minister said.

    Upholding the principles of peace, friendliness, mutual benefit and reciprocity, China is always ready to further develop the friendly relationship with Japan, the minister said.

    Bo said the Chinese government and leaders have expressed their commitment to improving China-Japan ties on many occasions, which shows China's positive attitude and sincerity on the issue.

    It is true that the Japanese government and leaders have repeatedly reflected on and apologized for the past history, but what is more important is actions from the Japanese side, Bo said. Enditem