BEIJING - China summoned Japan's ambassador on Thursday to lodge a strong complaint after two Japanese cabinet ministers publicly paid their respects at a controversial Tokyo shrine for war dead, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said.

Their visit to the Yasukuni Shrine "seriously harms the feelings of the people in China and other Asian victim countries", the ministry said in a statement.

Related stories:

Japan's Abe sends offering to war shrine

Experts warn of Japan's challenge to post-war order

China urges Japan to reflect on history

Japan's PM rules out visit to Yasukuni Shrine

Japan should follow peace, friendship treaty