"We believe these military alliances should not exceed the bilateral nature," foreign ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao told a regular briefing.

Liu made it clear that the ANZUS alliance should not be used to interfere with China's plans to reunify with Taiwan, which Beijing has vowed to do by force if needed, and asked Canberra to consider China's interests.

"The Taiwan issue concerns China's sovereignty and territorial integrity and is the internal affairs of China," Liu said.

"Relevant countries in dealing with alliances should fully consider the benefits and concerns of other countries in the region, do more that is beneficial to the region's peace and stability," Liu said.

China considers Taiwan, which has been ruled separately since the end of a civil war in 1949, an inseparable part of Chinese territory which must be reunified eventually.

Liu, however, refused to confirm Australian media reports Tuesday that China has demanded Australia review the ANZUS (Australia-New Zealand-United States) Alliance.

The Australian newspaper quoted Beijing's director-general of North American and Oceanian Affairs He Yafei as saying Australia and the United States had to be careful not to invoke the ANZUS alliance against China.

"We all know Taiwan is part of China and we do not want to see in any way the Taiwan issue become one of the elements that will be taken up by bilateral military alliances, be it Australia-US or Japan-US," He was quoted as saying.

"If there were any move by Australia and the US in terms of that alliance that is detrimental to peace and stability in Asia then it (Australia) needs to be careful."

The ANZUS, drawn up at the end of World War II, is Australia's most important military treaty, under which each country is obliged to support the other in the event of an attack.

Australia would be expected under its terms to support the United States if China resorted to force over Taiwan.

China's Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing on Sunday warned the United States and Japan against encompassing Taiwan in its military alliance.

However, asked Tuesday whether there was a toughening in China's position on regional military alliances, Liu denied there were any changes.

"China's position on bilateral military alliances in the world has been consistent and has not changed," Liu said.

The Australian government said Tuesday that there was no possibility of the ANZUS alliance being reviewed.