Headline: China-Taiwan

Wire Service: APn (AP US & World)

Date: Tue, Jan 7, 1997

BEIJING (AP) -- China complained today about a planned U.S. stopover by Taiwan's premier in the latest flare-up of tension over the island.

Premier Lien Chan left Taipei this morning for Los Angeles en route to Managua to attend the Nicaraguan president's inauguration, and Taiwan promised he wouldn't make any side trips that might annoy China.

But China views Taiwan as a renegade province and frowns on all travel abroad by Taiwanese leaders, while Taiwan is always alert for ways to punch holes in China's diplomatic blockade.

The State Department's decision to let Lien stop in Los Angeles and New York briefly, unofficially and without meeting any U.S. representatives drew an objection from Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Shen Guofang.

Shen warned that such visas could harm U.S.-China relations and should not be used to promote Taiwan's independence.

Washington's decision to let Taiwan's president, Lee Teng-hui, attend his college reunion at Cornell University in June 1995 severely strained U.S.-Chinese relations. Tensions have eased only in recent months.

Taiwan said the United States is allowing Lien to return via New York only after he cut his planned stay there from two days to one to minimize protests from China.

China insists that countries with which it has ties should not receive Taiwanese officials.

At the news briefing, Shen also voiced disapproval over Taipei newspaper reports that the Dalai Lama, Tibet's exiled spiritual leader, will be allowed to visit.

"I just want to remind the Taiwan authorities the Dalai Lama is not a religious figure," said Shen. Beijing contends the Dalai Lama uses religion to cloak attempts to split Tibet away from China.

Taiwanese officials said the Dalai Lama was invited to visit his 5 million Buddhist followers, and China should not link this to politics.