Taiwan and China split at the end of a civil war in 1949, but Beijing has continued to regard the island as a renegade province that is not entitled to international contacts. China has warned other countries against building official ties with Taiwan. As a result, the island is recognized diplomatically by just 26 countries, mostly Latin American and tiny Pacific island nations. On Thursday, Beijing expressed grave concern over Taiwan Premier Yu Shyi-kun's unscheduled six-hour transit stay in Okinawa, Japan, when the plane he took was diverted because of a typhoon. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan said Beijing strongly opposed "Taiwanese leaders engaging in political activities under any pretax in countries that have maintained official ties with China." He also lashed out at Japan for permitting the Taiwanese premier to make the six-hour transit stop in Okinawa. In Japan, Yu held talks with local political and business leaders, prompting angry protest from China. He even took the opportunity to propose that Taiwan and Okinawa jointly hold a conference to further stimulate their economic and cultural exchanges. Taiwanese media speculated that the typhoon-triggered unscheduled stopover had prompted China to step up pressure on the U.S., fearing that President Chen could use his transit stay to promote Taiwan's sovereign identity, seen by Beijing as a move to promote independence of the island. Meanwhile, President Chen is scheduled to attend the inauguration of Panamanian president-elect Martin Torrijos on September 1st. He will also sign a joint communique with Premier Minister Said Wibert Musa and open a Taiwan-donated stadium during his visit to Belize on September 2. --SPA 1421 Local Time 1121 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/195278