BEIJING, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- China on Saturday criticized Japanese leader's repeated visit to the Yasukuni Shrine and gave no verification on Shinzo Abe's visit to the country in October.

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, said Qin Gang, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman.

Qin made the remarks when asked to confirm whether Shinzo Abe would visit to China in October if he becomes Japan's new Prime Minister. Enditem