Both the foreign ministry arm of the Chinese government and official media have expressed dissatisfaction over Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's speech during the ceremony to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II.
In his speech, Abe said that he upheld the apologies of previous governments for Japan's activities during World War II. He also mentioned that Japan must not allow future generations to "be predestined to apologize."
His words have been viewed by leaders and media of several neighboring countries as a watered-down apology that evades direct responsibility for Japan's past actions.
"Japan should have made an explicit statement on the nature of the war of militarism and aggression and its responsibility on the wars, made sincere apology to the people of victim countries, and made a clean break with the past of militarist aggression, rather than being evasive on this major issue of principle," said Hua Chunying, foreign ministry spokesperson, at a press conference on Friday.
According to the Xinhua News Agency, the official press agency of the government, "Abe's watered-down apology fails sincerity test" and "no real reconciliation in East Asia will be possible so long as Tokyo is viewed as a denier of its past crimes."
"The Japanese government should admit their false stance on the Diaoyu Islands, refrain from visiting the Yasukuni Shrine and stop revising textbooks to gloss over history," said Ma Sanyi, a 90-year-old war veteran from Hunan Province in Central China. "Seventy years have passed, and it is time for Japan to show some real sincerity."
The Diaoyu Islands are a group of islands currently under the control of Japan as part of the city of Ishigaki, but have been disputed for generations by both the People's Republic of China and the Republic of China.
The Yasukuni Shrine is a Shinto structure in Chiyoda, Tokyo, that commemorates those who died on behalf of the Japanese Emperor, including those who fought for Japan in World War II. The shrine is currently active, with Yasuhisa Tokugawa serving as the Guji or chief priest.
Japan has also attracted controversy for its history textbooks, which many have said to be a way for Japan to cover up alleged atrocities from its youth.
Aside from China, South Korean President Park Geun-hye has also said that Abe's speech "left much to be desired."
During a ceremony in Seoul on Saturday, Park called on Abe to reiterate Japan's apologies for its abuses during its occupations of neighboring countries during World War II.
"History can never be covered up. History remains alive through its witnesses' vivid testimony," said Park.