China has confirmed that Japan's Prime Minister Taro Aso will make a trip to Beijing next week. It is his first official visit to China since taking office in September.

China said in a foreign ministry statement that Mr Aso's visit will be on 29 and 30 April.

The announcement came after it had expressed serious concern and dissatisfaction to Japan through official channels for the shrine offering.

Japan should take a responsible attitude toward safeguarding China-Japan relations. the China's Foreign Ministry said.

At the time, Mr Aso said he offered a gift to Yasukuni shrine, just wanting to express his appreciation and respect as a Japanese national to the people who sacrificed their precious lives for the country.

But China believes the Yasukuni shrine to millions of war dead glorifies Japan's militarist past.

Analysts say China deeply resents Japan's brutal occupation from 1931-1945.

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