Taiwan leader Chen Shui-bian found himself under attack by the island's media and political analysts yesterday following his latest secessionist remarks.

Speaking on Sunday, Chen declared his desire for full independence, a new constitution, fresh development and to see local firms omit the word "China" from their titles.?

"Such aggressive, crass and volatile political claims" post very real threats to political and economic ties across the Taiwan Strait and inside Taiwan itself, the Taiwan Commercial Times clamored in an editorial on Tuesday, noting the remarks as being opposite to the majority view of Taiwanese people.
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The Taiwan-based China Times lambasted Chen's "four wants" policy as mere verbal games whose only effect was to harm the Taiwan stock market.

Chen is fully aware that independence, a new constitution and such renaming of Taiwan companies are all impossible tasks, said Professor Shao Zonghai, of the Taiwan-based Chinese Culture University, and is merely attempting to weaken ties between Taiwan and the mainland in the public's minds.

(Xinhua News Agency March 7, 2007)