China has warned that increasing U.S.- Japan military cooperation should be strictly bilateral and not include Taiwan.

Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing told a news conference Sunday that putting Taiwan directly or indirectly into the scope of a U.S.-Japan security alliance constitutes an encroachment on China's sovereignty.

Mr. Li's comments came two weeks after China reacted angrily to a joint U.S.-Japanese declaration that said they want to see the peaceful resolution of Taiwan's status.

He spoke on the sidelines of the annual meeting of the National People's Congress, which is slated to pass an anti-secession law intended to curb any Taiwanese bid for formal independence.

Taiwan fears the law could lead to a military attack.