'No change in policy on Improving Relations with Japan': China

China on Thursday has said that there is no change in its policy towards Japan. Former Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda had said in a speech that China had articulated readiness to improve the relations between the two countries.

However, Qin Gang, the Chinese foreign ministry spokesman, reiterated that there was no change in China's stand on improving relations with Japan.

"Japan must face up to reality, show sincerity, take concrete actions and make efforts to eliminate political obstacles that affect the development of bilateral relations," Qin said  in the foreign ministry's website, according to Reuters.

Chinese President XI Jinping had met Fukuda who visited China in July on a secret mission to pave way for resuming cordial relations.   Jinping then had expressed his wish to mend ties.

Japan's history of wartime militarism and territorial disputes with China over islands in the East China Sea are impeding cordial relationship between the two countries.

Both countries also do not trust each other in their defense plans.

The Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who returned to power in 2012, is yet to meet Chinese leaders.  

Meanwhile, a new development that will worsen the already bad chemistry between the two countries has come up.

Japan has confirmed that Prime Minister Abe had sent a note in April to a ceremony that honored World war ll criminals and approved their actions.

"I humbly express my deepest sympathy for the martyrs ... who sacrificed their souls to become the foundation of peace and prosperity in Japan today," Abe wrote in his note. "I hope for eternal peace and pledge to work toward a harmonious coexistence of mankind in the future," the note said, according to the Associated Press.

The Chinese foreign ministry on Thursday said that Japan should ponder over its aggressive behavior during the world war. It should completely avoid militarism so as to improve relations with its neighbors, the ministry said.

"We urge Japan to adhere to its commitment to reflect on the invasion and take solid action to win the trust of Asian neighbors and international community," spokesman Qin Gang said in a statement, according to AP.

Japan's relations with China and South Korea had taken a down turn when Prime Minister Abe visited the Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo last December. The Shrine reveres 2.5 million Japanese war dead.  It also honors 14 executed "Class-A war criminals."