By JULIAN LINDEN

SYDNEY, Sept. 6 (UPI) -- Australia has again rejected suggestions of an official visit by Taiwan President Lee Teng-hui, despite an expression of interest from Taipei.

Federal Primary Industries Minister John Anderson was forced to reiterate the Australian government's commitment to the one-China policy when tackled about the issue Thursday during a private visit to Taiwan.

Anderson refused to speculate on the matter during a brief interview with the Australian Broadcasting Commission's Taipai correspondent, but indicated that Australia's policy remained steadfast.

"I choose not to go beyond the observations that I have already made in relation to the Australian government's commitment to the One-China policy and to the reality that that precludes high-level visits to our country in any official capacity," he said.

The issue arose after Lee told a touring group of Australian journalists on Wedenesday that he would like to visit Australia.

Lee had just expressed Taiwan's appreciation of Australia's support during the Chinese missile crisis earlier this year, when he was asked whether he would like to visit Australia.

The president replied that he would.

Australia has come under intense pressure from China not to engage in any official contact with Taiwan, which Beijing has regarded as a renegade province since the 1949 civil war, as relations between the two countries become strained.

The subject of Lee's visit is the latest in a series of thorny issues between Australia and China.

Chinese Premier Li Peng issued a warning to Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer last month after confirmation that Tibet's exiled spiritual leader Dalai Lama would visit Australia in mid- September.

Li told Downer a high profile visit for the Dalai Lama risked damaging Australia's relations with Beijing and hinted at reprisals against Australia if the prime minister agreed to a meeting.

The Dalai Lama is the spiritual leader of an estimated eight million followers of Tibetan Buddism and a Nobel Peace laureate but is accused by Beijing of encouraging Tibetan independence from China.

Australia has, since the early 1970s, recognized Tibet as part of China, but a spokesman for Howard said the prime minister would still consider a meeting with the Dalai Lama if his schedule permitted.