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)