Nov.24 - China on Thursday expressed strong dissatisfaction with former Japanese Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori's visit to Taiwan.

 

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Jiang Yu made the remarks in a regular press conference when asked to comment on Mori's visit to Taiwan from Nov. 21 to 23.

 

Jiang said that China is strongly dissatisfied with and regretful over the fact that Japan disregarded China's solemn and just concern and allowed its former Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori to visit Taiwan, meet with Taiwan leader Chen Shui-bian and accept a medal given by Chen.

 

Jiang said the Taiwan issue bears on the core interests of China and the political foundation for China-Japan relations.

 

"We demand that the Japanese government honor its commitment on the Taiwan issue, take effective measures, properly handle its relations with Taiwan, and particularly avoid any political exchanges with separatist forces in favor of 'Taiwan independence'," Jiang said.