NOVELTY - A lithium secondary battery has a first heat resistant layer (30) (having a thickness of 1-100 microns) facing part(s) of a current collecting lead (14, 24); and a porous second heat resistant layer (having a thickness of 1-20 microns) facing an entire surface of an active material layer that is located across from the current collecting lead.    USE - Used as a power sources for portable devices such as personal digital assistants and mobile electronic devices; as compact electrical energy storage system for home use; and power sources for two-wheeled vehicles, electric vehicles, and hybrid electric vehicles.    ADVANTAGE - Even when an external short circuit occurs in a lithium secondary battery in which a current collecting lead is connected to a center portion of an electrode, because a heat resistant layer is present, an internal short circuit can be prevented. Thus, the battery has excellent safety and high output power. The heat resistant layer has excellent balance of flexibility and durability.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - A lithium secondary battery comprises a positive electrode (10) comprising a strip-shaped positive electrode current collector and a positive electrode active material layer carried on each surface of the positive electrode current collector; a negative electrode comprising a strip-shaped negative electrode current collector and a negative electrode active material layer (23) carried on each surface of the negative electrode current collector; a separator interposed between the positive and negative electrodes; and a non-aqueous electrolyte, where an exposed portion carrying no active material layer is formed on a center portion (12a) in a longitudinal direction of the positive and/or negative electrode current collector, a current collecting lead is connected to the exposed portion, and a first heat resistant layer is formed such that it faces part(s) of the current collecting lead.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The figure is a schematic diagram illustrating a positive and a negative electrode of a lithium secondary battery.    Positive electrode (10)    Center portion (12a)    Current collecting lead (14, 24)    Negative electrode active material layer (23)    First heat resistant layer (30)