But the Chinese spokesman denounced the former Taiwanese leader's claim that he simply wishes to see relatives and visit his old university - saying that there was no way Mr Lee could be seen as an ordinary citizen. A report on the website of the official People's Daily newspaper noted that Mr Lee's last visit to the US, also as a private citizen, in 1995, caused significant upheavals in Sino-US relations. Beijing's furious response at the time included a series of military exercise off the Taiwan coast. Beijing has said there could be devastating consequences for bilateral ties if President Bush decides next week to sell advanced missile defence systems to Taiwan. BBC Washington correspondent Philippa Thomas says the new Republican administration is eager to promote Taiwan's ability to defend itself without signalling any support of the island's aspirations towards independence.
China regards Taiwan as a renegade province.
Japanese controversy Japan says it approved a visa for Mr Lee's visit on humanitarian grounds. It has warned him not to engage in any political activity during the trip. Mr Lee says his trip has no political motives, but has refused to sign an written agreement confirming this. The issue has proved divisive in the Japanese Government, with some cabinet members reportedly voicing their opposition to the trip, which comes at a time of growing tension between China and Japan. Sino-Japanese ties are already strained by disputes over trade, and a history textbook which critics say glosses over Japan's wartime aggression.