China has lodged a stern representation to Japan over a visit by former Taiwan leader Lee Teng-hui to Japan, said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu on Tuesday.

"We strongly urge the Japanese government to pay close regard to China's sincere concern and to obey the principles established in three key political documents between China and Japan especially the Sino-Japanese Joint Statement," Jiang said.

Lee is reported to be set to visit Japan from Wednesday. However, Japanese government officials said on Monday that Lee's visit to Tokyo was a tourist trip only and should not impact Japan's relations with China.

Lee's words and deeds in past decades marked him as a secessionist, said Jiang, urging Japan not to "provide a political arena for pro-independence separatist forces in Taiwan".

Japan should fulfill its promise on the Taiwan issue through its actions, said Jiang.