S'pore press silent on Taiwan official's visit

But there have been no reports in the Singapore press altthough Taiwanese and Chinese newspapers have been reporting Lien's visit since Tuesday.

A smiling Lien wished reporters a happy new year as he entered the lobby of his Singapore hotel, but made no other comment.

The trip has kicked off a complex three-way diplomatic dance involving Singapore, Taiwan and China - three very different nations sharing a common Chinese heritage.

China, which regards Taiwan as a renegade province, routinely objects whenever high-level Taiwanese officials visit other nations. For example, it objected to Lien's ``private vacation'' in Iceland in October. The Taiwanese media, on the other hand, usually play up such visits as evidence that the international community accepts their country.

Singapore officials were not available for comment on the visit. Singapore does not maintain diplomatic ties with Taiwan, but it does have significant business ties.

Taiwanese reports said Lien had been invited by Singapore Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong, and would also meet with Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew and President Ong Teng Cheong. But on Wednesday, Lee's press secretary said she knew nothing about any meeting scheduled with Lien.

An Associated Press report from Taipei, said the trip to Singapore by Taiwan's vice president has irritated China, which objects to Taiwanese leaders visiting countries that have diplomatic relations with Beijing.

Foreign Ministry officials said Vice President Lien Chan and his wife will spend four days in the city-state, vacationing and visiting people, but did not mention specifics.

Newspapers quoted unidentified Taiwanese officials as saying Singapore wants Lien to keep his trip low-profile with no media exposure.

Still, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Tang Guoqiang warned Singapore on Tuesday to "address this issue cautiously lest the relations between the two countries suffer undue damage.''

Taiwan is the seat of the Nationalist Chinese government that lost the mainland to the Communists in 1949. China considers it a renegade province.

Since only 29 countries formally recognize Taiwan, its leaders are forced to travel to most places unofficially and sometimes even covertly.

The United Evening News said Lien will golf with Singaporean officials, including Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong. The Taiwanese newspaper said Lien also will meet with Lee Kuan Yew, the former prime minister who retains considerable influence.

Before leaving Thursday, Lien urged rapprochement with China in a New Year message broadcast live to the mainland.