Press reports in Hong Kong and Macao have strongly rebuked Chen
Shui-bian's remarks on "independence," saying Chen is gambling with
all Taiwanese's welfare and has put the island in a dangerous
situation.
In
a speech on Saturday, Chen called for a referendum on Taiwan's
future and said that "each side is a country".
Hong Kong-based newspapers including Wen Wei Po, Ta Kung Pao, and
the Hong Kong Commercial Daily, on Sunday published the
views of residents highly critical of Chen's remarks, and warned
him notto play with fire again.
The Macao Daily noted in its Sunday editorial that the
campaignof Chinese worldwide against "Taiwan independence" and for
the reunification of the motherland has been growing and become
irresistible. Any attempts for "Taiwan independence" are doomed
tofailure, the editorial said.
Ma
Lik, a Hong Kong deputy to the National People's Congress (NPC), said
Chen had broken his promises, which was very dangerous.
Lee Kok Keung, a member of the National Committee of the Chinese
People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), said
Chen's statement that "each side is a country" harbors malicious
intent and would further destabilize the Taiwanese society.
Wong Ka Ying, a researcher from the Chinese University of Hong
Kong, said that Chen's remarks, a clear violation of his own
promises, would probably have serious consequences.
(Xinhua News
Agency August 5, 2002)