BEIJING - China on Tuesday criticized Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe for his recent refusal to apologize to Japan's neighbors for wartime atrocities.

"Abe's words revealed the Japanese leader's wrong conception of history and lack of sincerity in facing up to that history," said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying, in response to a question about Abe's comments in Europe that Tokyo cannot follow in the footsteps of Germany in addressing its wartime atrocities.

"There is always a political force in Japan that attempts to deny or even glorify its wartime aggression and colonial rule, and deny the verdict of the Far East International Military Tribune," she said.

Abe has visited the Yasukuni Shrine, which honors WWII war criminals, and Japan has intensified tension with its neighbors on territorial disputes, said the spokeswoman.

"Japan's wrong words and deeds are a major obstacle for reconciliation and cooperation between Japan and countries in the region," she said.

Hua urged the Japanese government and leader to draw a line between themselves and militarism. "This is the political foundation for Japan to rebuild and develop ties with its neighbors, the principle and spirit of the normalization of China-Japan ties, and the four political documents between the countries."

"We call on Japan to correct its mistakes with concrete actions and win the trust of its Asian neighbors and the international community," she said, adding this is the sole correct path for the country.