Beijing, Aug. 4 (PTI): China today expressed its displeasure over Japan playing the national anthem of Taiwan at the ongoing Asia men's basketball championship, saying it has "seriously violated" the spirit of bilateral agreements. An official with the Chinese Foreign Ministry yesterday summoned an official of the Japanese Embassy in Beijing and lodged a stern representation over the playing of the national anthem of the "Republic of China," the ministry said.

"This has seriously violated the spirit enshrined in the three political documents including Sino-Japanese Joint Statement, and relevant rules of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) about Chinese Taipei's taking part in competitions," said the press release. "China expresses strong protest and demands the Japanese side to immediately take effective measures to remove the vile influence and avoid similar events from happening again," it said.

The Japanese organising committee and Asian Basketball Federation have extended formal apology to China over the incident, the press release said. China and Taiwan split in 1949 at the end of a civil war but Beijing still claims the self-ruled island as part its territory.

China has repeatedly threatened to invade if Taiwan declares independence or drags its feet on reunification talks. Moreover, the Chinese parliament has also passed an Anti-cession Law in 2005 to foil Taiwan's bid to seek independence.

Taiwan, a self-ruled island can participate in international sporting events under the name "Chinese Taipei."