BEIJING, Dec 22: China summoned Japan's ambassador on Wednesday to protest at Tokyo's issuance of a visa to former Taiwan president Lee Teng-hui, warning that it must bear responsibility for the consequences.

Vice Foreign Minister Wu Dawei summoned ambassador Koreshige Anami to express "strong dissatisfaction" and "strong protest" over Tokyo's decision on Tuesday to issue a visa to Mr Lee for an upcoming visit, China Central Television Station (CCTV) said.

"Lee Teng-hui is the chief representative of Taiwan independence forces in Taiwan. In the international community, he's entirely a troublemaker," Wu was quoted as saying.

"By allowing Lee Teng-hui to go to Japan, the Japanese government is encouraging and supporting Taiwanese independence activities. "This sends a wrong message to Taiwan independence forces and brings serious interference to Sino-Japanese relations," Wu said.

"The Japanese side must bear responsibility for all the consequences." The incident on Wednesday is the latest salvo from China over the controversial visit.

Japan says the visit by Lee, who studied in Japan in his youth, is private and for sightseeing and there are no grounds to refuse a visa. But Beijing, which considers the 81-year-old Lee a key advocate for Taiwan's formal independence, insists his visit is by no means personal.

CCTV on Wednesday cited Anami saying the Japanese government upholds the one-China policy, does not support Taiwan independence and will not allow Lee to carry out any political activities in Japan.

China defines Taiwan as an inseparable part of its territory under its one-China policy. Beijing has vowed to reunify with the island in 1949, by war if necessary. It opposes visits by former or current Taiwanese leaders, especially the pro-independence Lee, to countries with diplomatic ties with Beijing.

China on Tuesday called the visa issuance "a very significant incident in China-Japan relations", and demanded Tokyo reverse its "wrong" decision. Lee, who left office in 2000, riled Beijing while in office by advocating mainland China and Taiwan conduct "state-to-state" relations, prompting Beijing to suspend dialogue, a decision which remains in force now. -AFP