ANTANANARIVO, Jan. 14 -- The Chinese ambassador to Madagascar, Yang Min held a seminar here on Tuesday condemning Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's visit to the Yasukuni Shrine.

"When people of all countries embracing world peace and development, a Japanese politician attempted to turn back the wheel of history. On Dec. 26, in total disregard of the feelings of his Asian neighbors and the international community, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe blatantly paid homage to the Yasukuni Shrine, where 14 Class A war criminals of World War II defined as those who committed 'crimes against peace' are enshrined," said Yang Min.

Right after the visit, the governments of China, South Korean and Russia expressed strong condemnation along with many other countries. The United States also expressed disappointment. Domestically, it drew opposition from the majority of the Japanese people, Yang Min added.

"Visits to the shrine by Japanese leaders is by no means simply an internal affair of Japan, or a personal matter of any Japanese politician. Nor does it concern only China-Japan or Korea-Japan relations. The Shrine was used by Japanese militarists as a spiritual symbol to launch wars of aggression. What Abe has done is pushing Japan toward a dangerous road that undermines the fundamental interests of people of all countries and of Japan." said the ambassador.

"It reveals whether or not the Japanese government is able to correctly look at and profoundly repent its past of militarist aggression and colonial rule. It is a major issue of right and wrong that concerns aggression versus anti-aggression and justice versus evil. It is a fundamental issue of direction about whether Japanese leader will adhere to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and stay with the path of peaceful development. And it is a matter of major principle that bears on the political foundation of Japan's relations with its Asian neighbors and the international community." said Yang Min.

"China and Madagascar were victims of invaders in the past. We should be vigilant to whether history will repeat itself," the Chinese ambassador said.

The Japanese militarist aggression China suffered during World War II caused a casualty of 35 million people and economic loss of more than 600 billion U.S. dollars.

However, Japanese leaders are unrepentant about its militarist past and war crimes and make no apologies for it. Abe even openly questioned whether his country should be defined as an "aggressor", and did his utmost to whitewash its history of militaristic aggression and colonial rule.

"I am sure Madagascar and all other peace-loving folk will not remain indifferent," said Yang Min.

Yang Min also communicated with the participants during the seminar and answered many questions form the Malagasy scholars and experts.