China strongly opposes the United States permitting Annette Lu Hsiu-lien to make a transit stop in its territory, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said in Beijing Wednesday.

It is reported that US State Department spokesman Richard Boucher confirmed recently that Lu will make a transit stop in the US territory en route to Latin America.

When asked to comment on the issue, Liu said facts had proved that the transit stop in the United States was only an excuse of the Taiwan authorities for their real purpose to embark on separatist activities and to harm Sino-US relations.

The United States, regardless of China's representations, gave Lu the go-ahead, and thus violated the principles of the three Sino-US joint communiqués, sent a misleading signal to the "Taiwan independence" elements, and brought negative impact on the Sino-US ties, the spokesman said.

"We strongly urge the US side to recognize the harmful result of this issue, honor its commitments to stick to the one-China policy, abide by the three Sino-US joint communiqués and oppose 'Taiwan independence', and stop official exchanges with Taiwan in any form, so as to prevent Sino-US relations from being harmed," Liu said.

(Xinhua News Agency May 27, 2004)