The United States warned its citizens in China Friday of possible new anti-Japan demonstrations, saying they could turn against foreigners in general, as Beijing stressed that illegal protests would be punished.

China was bracing for a second wave of protests, triggered by what many see as Japan's failure to own up to World War II atrocities, as foreign ministers from the Asian giants prepared for a weekend meeting aimed at easing tension.

Thousands demonstrated in four Chinese cities last weekend at a time Japan is also seeking a permanent seat on the UN Security Council, a move firmly opposed by China.

The protests appeared to have tacit state approval, with the government appealing for demonstrators to avoid ``extreme activities,'' and Beijing police warned Friday against ``unapproved or harmful'' activities.

For its part, Japan pledged not to let a series of disputes with China hinder their relationship and said Tokyo would seek to deepen mutual understanding and trust through dialogue.

The US Embassy called on its citizens to be on guard, saying there were unconfirmed calls to stage protests this weekend in Beijing, nearby Tianjin, Shanghai, northeastern Shenyang, southern Guangzhou and Dongguan and southwestern Chengdu.

Shanghai is the headquarters of many Japanese businesses.

``Because of the fluid nature of such events, American citizens traveling in China should be alert for demonstrations and/or marches occurring at other times and locations without prior warning,'' a US embassy official said. ``The demonstrations are purportedly against Japanese interests, but could involve foreigners in general.''

The semi-official China News Service quoted a spokesman for the Beijing Public Security Bureau as saying any protest had to have prior approval and harmful activities would be punished.

``And we hope people and young students can trust that the party and the government can properly deal with Sino-Japan relations ... and do not do anything that will affect social stability and hurt the capital's image.'' The Japanese embassy and ambassador's residence were pelted with stones and eggs last weekend, and some Japanese businesses were targeted in the marches that were unusually large in a country whose communist leadership is wary of popular protest. Japanese Foreign Minister Nobutaka Machimura was to meet his counterpart, Li Zhaoxing, in Beijing Sunday to try to stop squabbles over gas exploration in disputed waters and Tokyo's treatment of its own history from escalating and hurting US$178 billion (HK$1.38 trillion) worth of trade. ``We must deepen mutual understanding and trust through dialogue and not allow individual issues to become an obstacle to the development of the overall Japan-China relationship,'' the Japanese Foreign Ministry said in an annual diplomatic report.

``We will seek to expand mutual benefits through strengthening cooperation in a wide range of areas.''

Chinese activists have called for more protests in Beijing and Shanghai this weekend by sending SMS and posting messages on online bulletin boards.

Machimura warned the protests could start to affect tourism. ``You cannot stop tourists from avoiding [China] and deciding to go to another place after watching TV news,'' Kyodo news agency quoted him as saying.

REUTERS