Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan said in Beijng on March 10 that Lee Teng-hui's possible visit to Japan would fundamentally undermine friendly and cooperative relations between China and Japan.

The foreign minister made the remark when he was questioned by a Japanese reporter at a press conference held by the on-going Third Session of the Ninth National People's Congress.

Tang said he noticed that some important political figures in Japan including some ruling party members have been planning a visit to Japan by Lee Teng-hui and that a so-called preparatory committee for Lee's visit has been set up.

He said Lee has been advocating Taiwan independence and his true nature of splitting China has already been exposed.

If Lee visits Japan, under whatever name or title, it would fundamentally undermine Sino-Japanese relations and would not bring any benefit to Japan, Tang said, stressing that the Japanese side should see clearly the ulterior motives of Lee and recognize the severity and political harmfulness of such a visit.

The Taiwan issue has an important bearing on Sino-Japanese relations, and the two countries have already reached a consensus on the issue, Tang said.

He hoped Japan would develop Sino-Japan bilateral relations by strictly following the spirit of the Sino-Japanese Joint Declaration, the Sino-Japanese Treaty on Peace and Friendship, and the Sino-Japanese Joint Statement issued during President Jiang Zemin's visit to Japan.