BEIJING, April 22 -- China on Wednesday voiced strong opposition to a visit by Japanese lawmakers to the notorious Yasukuni shrine.

"We hope Japanese politicians will take a correct view of history in such a sensitive year, which marks the 70th anniversary of the end of WWII," said Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei at a regular press briefing.

He also urged the Japanese politicians to do more to help Japan reconcile and build trust with its neighbors.

A group of Japanese lawmakers from various parties visited the Yasukuni Shrine Wednesday morning for the annual spring festival, local media reported.

Their visits came a day after Prime Minister Shinzo Abe dedicated a "masakaki" tree offering to the shrine, which honors Japan's war dead, including 14 Class-A convicted WWII criminals.