China on Saturday criticizes Japanese leader's repeated visit to the Yasukuni Shrine and gives no verification on Shinzo Abe's visit to China in October if he becomes Japan's new Prime Minister.

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Qin Gang said in a statement that the Japanese leader's obstinate persistence in visiting the Yasukuni Shrine is the crux which handicaps the China-Japan relations and the normal exchanges between the leaders of the two countries.

The statement came in the wake of some reports saying the diplomatic authorities of China and Japan are now working on preparations for a visit by Shinzo Abe to China in October if he becomes Japan's new prime minister.

In the statement, Qin said China has always attached great importance to developing friendly relations with Japan but didn't say anything to verify Abe's visit.

Abe, the current chief cabinet secretary of Japan, is a very strong candidate for Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) presidential election which is to be held on September 20. The winner of the election is very likely to succeed Junichiro Koizumi as Japan's next prime minister.

(Xinhua News Agency September 16, 2006)