"A CHINESE government official warned yesterday that the private visit to Dublin of Mr Lien Chen, the vice-president and prime minister of Taiwan, could damage the stable growth" of diplomatic links between China and Ireland.
However, the Irish Government made it clear that Ministers and officials would not be meeting Mr Lien, and it was noted as significant by observers in Beijing that no formal complaint was lodged with the Irish Embassy.
Beijing, which regards Taiwan as a renegade province, routinely protests to any country which gives entry visas to Taiwan ministers.
Officials reacted angrily when Mr Lien met the Pope this week in the Vatican.
The Taiwanese vice-president is expected to visit another European country before returning to Taiwan.
Beijing reacted angrily when the US granted a transit visa to President Lee of Taiwan in 1955, regarding it as evidence that Washington sympathised with Taiwan's aspiration for international, diplomatic recognition.
Ireland has reasonably good working relations with China. In November, after a meeting with the Taoiseach, Mr Bruton, in Rome, Chinese premier Li Peng said he was satisfied with recent developments in Sino-Irish relations and increasing contacts at different levels.
The relationship is low-key, however. There was no Irish ministerial visit to China or any significant China-related initiative taken by the Irish Government during its recent six-month presidency of the EU.
Beijing regards good relations with Ireland as important mainly because of the Republic's membership of the EU, the potential for trade and investment, and its large diaspora.
The Chinese authorities have proved co-operative in easing the way for the adoption of Chinese babies by Irish parents through International Orphan Aid.
Mr Lien yesterday met the Trinity College Dublin Provost, Prof Tom Mitchell, at the college, Michael Foley writes.
Mr Lien and Irish officials insisted his short visit was a private one and that he was travelling as a private citizen.
Mr Lien was in Ireland for about 24 hours, following his meeting with the Pope in Rome. He was accompanied by his wife, Yui Fang Lien.
During his visit to Trinity, Mr Lien, who was accompanied by officials and journalists, insisted he was not disappointed that Irish officials had not met him. "The visit is an informal one", he said.
There was no diplomatic or political significance in the visit, "It's a free world. It's post Cold War now. We can travel anywhere," said Mr Lien's spokesman, as they toured the library and looked at the illuminated manuscripts.
The presence of four uniformed and two plain clothed gardai, providing protection, was some proof, for the journalists: "Your police are involved, that must mean the Government is arranging things," one reporter noted.
"Who is that man," asked one journalist, sure he had found a government official, but it was only the college registrar.
The journalists wanted to know why the Government had allowed the visit, given the hostility of the Beijing authorities. Was it because of Taiwanese investment?
As if to emphasise the informality and private nature of the visit Mr Lien and his party walked up Grafton Street to Wicklow Street and lunch at the Imperial Chinese restaurant before leaving Dublin.