A State Council official has said that the recent remarks made by Taiwan leader Chen Shui-bian about Taiwan independence and his stubborn adherence to the separatist stance prove that he is a troublemaker and saboteur of cross-Straits relations, and peace and stability in the Asian Pacific region.

Li Weiyi, spokesman for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council made the remarks in Beijing on Wednesday at a news conference.

Over the last year, thanks to the joint efforts of compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Straits, relations have developed toward stability and peace, Li said.

"However, the Taiwan leader ran counter to this momentum," Li stressed, saying "after his provocative New Year speech, the leader made reference to Taiwan Independence remarks again while compatriots were celebrating the Spring Festival.

Chen proposed on January 29 in his Lunar New Year speech the termination of the National Unification Council (NUC) and the National Unification Guidelines (NUG), the formulation of a new Taiwan constitution and the application for UN membership under the name of Taiwan. In this speech, he also broke his former promises and challenged the one-China principle that is commonly abided by the international community.

On May 20, 2000, Chen promised not to make references to Taiwan independence, to incorporate the "two states" idea into its constitution, change the so-called country's name or to hold a referendum on Taiwan independence, and not to abolish the NUC and the NUG.

"Our stance on developing cross-Straits relations is consistent, firm and clear," Li stressed, adding: "We will unswervingly adhere to the one-China principle, never give up efforts of peaceful reunification, and never compromise on our opposition to secessionist activities."

"Taiwan compatriots are our brothers and sisters and we will not change our solemn promise made to them because of the deliberate provocation made by the Taiwan leader," Li said.

"We will try our utmost efforts to do every thing which is conducive to the interests of Taiwan compatriots, cross-Straits exchanges, peace across the Taiwan Straits, and peaceful reunification of the motherland," Li said.

"We hope that Taiwan compatriots can make joint efforts with us to propel peaceful and smooth development of cross-Straits relations," he said.

In another development, the mainland has decided to resume the export of fishery labor services to Taiwan in the upcoming fishing season after a four-year-long suspension, an official with the Ministry of Commerce announced.

Tang Wei, director of the Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Department under the Ministry of Commerce, told the news conference that fishing organizations from across the Straits will soon sign agreements on the issue.

Beijing banned fishermen from working for Taiwan companies in December 2001 to protest against the island's discrimination against mainland fishermen hired by Taiwan fishing firms, which once employed 45,000 workers from the mainland.

(Xinhua News Agency February 9, 2006)