China on Monday lodged stern representations with the United States about the reported stopover there of the Taiwan leader.

"We made stern representations to the United States," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said on Monday.

Liu's statement came in response to reports about the U.S. decision to allow Taiwan leader Chen Shui-bian to stop off in the United States on his way to Nicaragua to attend the inauguration ceremony of the new president.

"We are seriously concerned about the reports," Liu said.

"The Chinese government is firmly opposed to any official exchange between the United States and the Taiwan authorities," Liu said, stressing that China's stance is "clear and consistent."

"The real intention behind Chen's stopover in the United States is to pursue activities that will separate China and destroy China-U.S. relations," the spokesman said.

The spokesman urged the United States to observe the one-China policy, abide by the three China-U.S. joint communiques and honor its commitment to opposing "Taiwan independence."

"The U.S. government should not allow Chen Shui-bian to conduct any activity in the United States in any name or for any excuse," Liu said.

"Nor should the United States send any wrong signal to Taiwan independence forces," he said.

"The United States should take practical actions to safeguard the peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and the overall China-U.S. relations," Liu said.

The spokesman warned that activities on "Taiwan independence" will not win the public support nor succeed.

Source: Xinhua