The Chinese government has reacted angrily to the US government's playing host to Taiwan's Chen Shui-bian and the Dalai Lama.

Tuesday, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Zhu Bangzao urged the US not to provide a stage for separatist activities.

During a regular briefing he said that the US action has violated the three Sino-US joint communiques and related commitments.

The United States, by allowing Chen to stop over, has fueled the tendency of "Taiwan independence" and rudely interfered in China's internal affairs, said Zhu.

China is "strongly dissatisfied and firmly opposed" to this, said the spokesman.

Zhu demanded that the US side take seriously China's solemn representations, correct its errors and not have official contact with Chen in any form.

Chen was on his way to the Latin American countries of El Salvador, Guatemala, Panama, Paraguay and Honduras. He was allowed to stop over in New York and Houston, Texas.

Chen's stopover coincided with a visit by the Dalai Lama, who reportedly may hold talks with US Secretary of States Colin Powell and US President George W. Bush.

"Tibet is an inalienable part of China, and Tibetan affairs are China's internal affairs that no other country can interfere with," said Zhu.

He called on the US government to adhere to the view that Tibet is Chinese territory, stop supporting Tibetan independence, stop using the Tibet issue to interfere in China's internal affairs and not to arrange meetings between the Dalai Lama and US government officials.

Sino-US relations have experienced a nosedive in the last few months, made worse by incidents such as the US criticisms of human rights in China, the April 1 mid-air collision between a US reconnaissance plane and a Chinese fighter jet over the South China Sea and the US sales of advanced weapons to Taiwan.

"Recently, on issues such as Taiwan, Tibet and religious affairs, the United States has endlessly interfered in China's internal affairs and hurt China's interests," Zhu said, noting the hardline policy the Bush administration has adopted towards China. "These troubles in China-US ties were not created by us and are not something we wish to see."

However, the spokesman said he is optimistic about bilateral relations.

"There are differences as well as important common interests between China and the United States," said Zhu.

"Sino-US relations are two-way and mutually beneficial, and their development needs efforts from both sides," said Zhu. "The key is whether the United States can really abide by the three Sino-US joint communiques and the basic norms of international relations."

In regards to Chen's wish to participate in the October informal leadership meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), Zhu said that this year's summit in Shanghai will continue the practice that Chinese Taipei, as an APEC economy, can only send its "ministerial" official responsible for economic affairs.

Zhu Tuesday also commented on reports that the Japanese government may grant Lee Teng-hui, the former Taiwan "president," a visa again if he applies.

Zhu reiterated that China firmly opposes Lee's visit to Japan in any form.

"The question of Taiwan is related to the political basis of Sino-Japanese ties," said Zhu. "It is the Japanese government's responsibility to adhere to the one-China principle."

He urged Japan to honour the Sino-Japanese Joint Statement and the Sino-Japanese Joint Declaration and refrain from allowing Lee to visit Japan or do anything that may impair bilateral relations.

Japan granted Lee a visa last month, allowing him to "receive medical treatment" in Japan. However, both doctors in Taiwan and in Japan said the check-up could be performed in Taiwan.

Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan and his Japanese counterpart Makiko Tanaka are scheduled to meet later this week on the sidelines of the Third Foreign Ministers' Meeting of the Asia Europe Meeting. They will discuss bilateral relations during the meeting, according to Zhu.

(China Daily 05/22/2001)