China low-key ahead of Taiwan leader's U.S. trip

BEIJING/TAIPEI (Reuters) - China reacted coolly on Thursday to plans by Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou to stop off in the United States next week en route to Central America, the kind of visit that usually enrages Beijing.

The United States never allows formal visits by presidents of the self-ruled island because the trips would enrage China, which claims Taiwan as its sovereign territory.

Taiwan presidents normally take advantage of trips to diplomatic allies in Central America to visit the United States, the island's main source of arms and quiet political support.

"I want to reiterate that the Chinese government has a one-China policy and opposes Taiwan having official exchanges with any country. This position has not changed," Foreign Ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu told a regular news briefing.

Previous U.S. visits by former presidents Chen Shui-bian and Lee Teng-hui incensed China, which lambasted them for using their trips to support formal independence for the island.

China has claimed Taiwan as its own since the end of the Chinese civil war in 1949. Beijing has vowed to bring the island under mainland rule, by force if necessary.

But ties have warmed since Ma took office last year, easing tensions with Beijing through trade and tourism deals, though military distrust lingers. Ma and his wife will stop for the night in Los Angeles on Tuesday en route to Belize, Guatemala and El Salvador, three diplomatic allies in Central America, Ma's office said.

On the way back, Ma will transit in the U.S. city of Seattle, spending one night before returning to Taiwan on June 4.

"He will simply enter the country and has no special activities planned," said Taiwan Foreign Ministry spokesman Henry Chen. "In principle, he will conduct any activities in his hotel. If someone wants to meet him, they will go to the hotel."

The United States switched diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing in 1979, recognising "one China", but is obliged by the Taiwan Relations Act to help defend the island if attacked.

Taiwan looks to its 23 mostly small and cash-strapped allies in the Americas, Africa and the South Pacific for legitimacy in international organisations. China has about 170 allies, including the world's most powerful nations.