Senior Malaysian ministers have been instructed not to visit Taiwan to avoid hurting close bilateral ties with China, Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak said today.

"Malaysia has always fully supported the 'One China policy'," Najib told reporters, referring to Beijing's claim that Taiwan is part of its territory.

"And cabinet has ordered all ministers to obey the 'One China policy' and not to conduct visits to Taiwan because this will offend the Chinese government," he added.

Najib did not say when the cabinet directive was made but a senior minister said it was recent "advice".

Malaysia's announcement came after the visit of a senior Chinese military official to Kuala Lumpur.

Najib, who is also Defence Minister, earlier met General Guo Boxiong, the vice chairman of the Central Military Commission of China for talks on regional developments and bilateral ties.

In the hour-long talks, Najib said Guo hoped to see the 'One China policy' upheld and supported by all other countries.

"China will measure how far other countries are fulfilling this policy by the actions committed by the countries' leaders," Najib cited Guo as saying.

Business links

Najib, who is also the defence minister, said it would mean that ministers are banned from visiting Taiwan.

"This means all contact with Taiwan will only be done at the officials' level and through the private sector," he said.

Beijing opposes any official visit by its diplomatic partners to Taiwan, which it says is waiting to be reunified, by force if necessary. The two sides split at the end of a civil war in 1949.

Malaysia does not have any diplomatic ties with Taiwan but local businesses have close economic links with Taiwan.

The Deputy Prime Minister of neighbouring Singapore, Lee Hsien Loong, incurred China's wrath last week by visiting Taiwan and meeting its president, Chen Shui-bian.

On Thursday Najib said Malaysia regarded China as an ally to strengthen the position and voice of Southeast Asian nations in regional affairs.

"The 'China threat' has given way to the 'China opportunity'," he said.