China on Thursday expressed strong opposition in Beijing to the reported visit to Japan by Taiwan's Lee Teng-hui, saying that it will have a serious political impact on Sino- Japanese relations.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhu Bangzao said Lee's reported visit to Japan, no matter what form or name it takes, will become a serious political matter in the relations between China and Japan.

The Chinese government is firmly opposed to the visit, Zhu said when answering a question at a press conference this afternoon about Lee's reported visit to Japan.

"We are highly concerned about such reports," he added.

"We hope that the Japanese government will strictly abide by its commitments on the Taiwan issue, and pay close attention to the matter, and properly deal with it," he said.