China on Wednesday said it will postpone a planned visit to Japan by legislative chief Li Peng in apparent retaliation against Japan's granting a visa to former Taiwan President Lee Teng-hui.
The Chinese Embassy in Tokyo notified the House of Representatives, which had invited Li, of the decision, the Foreign Ministry confirmed. Li's visit had been scheduled for late May.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Norio Hattori said Japan "regrets" Beijing's decision, adding that Tokyo hopes Beijing will rearrange Li's Japan visit as soon as possible.