Aso suggests China need not worry over Lee's visit

Foreign Minister Taro Aso offered assurances to his Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi that China need not worry about former Taiwan President Lee Teng-hui's recent visit to Japan, Japanese officials said. Yang, who met Aso on the sidelines of a trilateral meeting with their South Korean counterpart on South Korea's Jeju Island, expressed concern over the itinerary of Lee, currently in Japan, the officials said.

Aso said that he understands Lee will not conduct any political activity. Beijing has criticized the Japanese government for allowing Lee, who left office in 2000 and is seen by Beijing as one of the key supporters of Taiwan independence, to make the visit.