The Chinese government is shocked and angry over a Japanese politician's comments about comfort women which Hong Lei, spokesman with the foreign ministry, said on Tuesday publicly challenged history and betrayed basic ethics.

Hong spoke in response to the outspoken comment by Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto on May 13, saying that Japanese soldiers facing the daily threat of death during World War II needed some way to let off steam, which was provided by the comfort women.

Hong said that coercing women into comfort women was a serious crime committed by Japanese militarism, adding that how to treat the past will decide the future of Japan and its neighboring countries and the international society is waiting for Japan's choice.