DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: This just in to CNN. We have learned that the United States has issued a visa to a former president of Taiwan. And that could ruffle feathers in relations with China. For more on that, let's bring in our Andrea Koppel from the State Department -- Andrea.</s>ANDREA KOPPEL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Daryn, you'll remember that former President Lee Teng-hui was the Taiwanese president who visited the United States in 1995. And that set off a huge controversy with China and led to the military maneuvers between China and Taiwan in 1996. However, the State Department says this is -- he is traveling as a private citizen and that basically according to U.S. law, he has every right to come here. So one other complicating factor is that on Tuesday, President Bush is set to announce what arms sales he's going to have to Taiwan. And so that's why it's sensitive right now.</s>KAGAN: There's that, Andrea, also, of course, there's the recent standoff between the U.S. and China involving the espionage plane and also the detaining of those 24 crewmembers. And the negotiations are going on right now to try to get the plane back.</s>KOPPEL: Absolutely. And just yesterday, the Chinese embassy spokesman expressed China's strong opposition to the travel of Lee Teng-hui here. But he didn't make any threats. But I think China recognizes as well that this is a very sensitive time. And they don't want to -- in relation to the other things, it's fairly small potatoes.</s>KAGAN: Very good. Andrea Koppel at the State Department, thank you so much.
Former Taiwanese President to Visit U.S.