Singapore on Monday reiterated that it adheres to the "one-China" policy, and does not support Taiwan's independence, according to local press reports.

The Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs made the above-mentioned statement in response to a protest by China against Singapore Deputy Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's visit to Taiwan.

Stressing that it is "a private and unofficial visit" to Taiwan, the ministry said that Lee's such visit does not in any way change this policy, nor does it represent any challenge to China's sovereignty or territorial integrity.

Singapore valued its "close and extensive" ties with China, and it will be regrettable if they were to be affected by Lee's visit starting from Saturday night.

In reaction to Lee's visit to Taiwan, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue has said that Lee's such move has hurt China's core interests, the political base between China and Singapore and the feelings of 1.3 billion Chinese people.

China and Singapore established diplomatic ties in 1990.

(Xinhua News Agency July 13, 2004)