Taiwan newspapers said Lee had refused to sign a promise that would restrict his activities in Japan to seeking medical treatment and bar him from engaging in any political activity.

"If (they want me) to sign, I might as well not go," said Lee.

Lee called the conditions "humiliating".

Lee, 78, actively seeking Taiwan's seperation from the Chinese mainland during his 12-year rule, said this week he hoped to visit Japan for a medical check-up after an operation in Taiwan last year to clear a clogged artery.

China has asked Japan to refuse Lee a visa.

A spokeswoman for Lee said he had not been "informed by the Japanese side of the conditions through formal channels".

The spokeswoman said Lee had not changed his mind about visiting Japan. She declined further comment.

Japan and China established diplomatic relations in 1972. It is hoped that the Japanese Government will properly deal with this issue in line with the principles of the Sino-Japanese Joint Statement and the Sino-Japanese Joint Declaration.

(China Daily 04/20/2001)