Yeo was responding to a news report quoting a Chinese commerce ministry official as saying that Singapore Deputy Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's three-day visit to Taiwan last month had dampened the mood for negotiations.

"Both sides must agree to talks being launched at a particular time. If one side wishes to delay, it cannot take off," Yeo told reporters.

In the latest of a series of angry statements from Beijing, a Commerce Ministry official was quoted as saying in the China Daily that trade ties had been strained by Lee's three-day visit to Taiwan.

"His visit has dampened the mood to negotiate the free trade area between the two countries," said the official, who was not identified.

Yeo said there had been no official communication from Beijing to delay the scheduled talks, but added: "If you tell me that the (news) report this morning came from the commerce ministry, then it has some standing."

Yeo, however, expressed hope any delay would not be long and that bilateral ties would eventualy return to normal.

"I would say that China has stated its position. We have stated our position and we hope relations will get back on track in the future when both sides shall have a deeper understanding of each other's position and necessities," he said.

Beijing has responded to Lee's trip to Taipei with repeated warnings of severe consequences for bilateral ties, and the expected delay of the free trade agreement has been just one of a range of tactics used by China to express its anger.

A visit by China's central bank governor Zhou Xiaochuan to the city-state last month was also cancelled, and an official trip by Singapore's National Development Minister, Mah Bow Tan Mah, to Chengdu has been delayed indefinitely.

Beijing opposes any official high-level visits to Taiwan, which it regards as part of its territory waiting to be reunified by force if necessary. The two sides split at the end of a civil war in 1949.

Lee, who will take over as Singapore's prime minister next week, has said the trip was private and unofficial. The visit included a meeting between Lee and Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian, who favours an independent Taiwan.

Yeo on Tuesday reiterated Singapore's policy of recognising only one China.

"Our One-China policy is very clear. We don't support Taiwan independence. So on this issue there can be no doubt China has got to do and say what it's got to do and say.

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