China has warned the Clinton administration that its plan to send energy secretary, Bill Richardson, to Taiwan next week could damage Sino-American relations.

A foreign ministry statement said Washington had previously agreed to restrict relations with Taiwan to non-official contacts and Beijing remained opposed to any visits by United States cabinet officials.

Mr Richardson, whose trip was announced yesterday, will hold talks on economic and commercial issues with Taiwanese leaders and U.S. businessmen on the island.

A spokesman in Washington said the visit did not signal a change in policy towards China.