China on Tuesday told the United States to handle the Taiwan issue "carefully" and "properly", and not to create a scenario of "two Chinas" or "one China and one Taiwan".

Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang made the remarks at a regular press conference when asked to comment on Taiwan leader Ma Ying-jeou's recent Central America tour and scheduled stopover in the United States.

"We noticed relevant reports, and hope the U.S. side handles the Taiwan issue carefully and properly so as to avoid creating a scenario of 'two Chinas' or 'one China and one Taiwan'," Qin said.

(Xinhua News Agency June 2, 2009)