The Chinese mainland on Sunday criticized the secession activities of Taiwan leader, Chen Shui-bian, which attempt to abolish the "National Unification Council" (NUC) and the "National Unification Guidelines" (NUG).

The Director of both the Taiwan Work Office of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council released a statement commenting on Chen's recent remarks on the subject of abolishing the "NUC" and "NUG".

The Director said Chen had broken promises he'd made in 2000 and 2004 that he would not abolish the bodies during his terms of office. "The remarks are a dangerous sign of escalation of Chen's secession activities," he said.?? .

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

These recent remarks revealed Chen's attempt to undertake new independence activities especially in his efforts to a try to pave the way for the so-called 'reform of constitutional politics' and Taiwan's independence, said the statement. .

Chen's remarks at a time of steady development in cross-Straits relations displayed an intention to further promote his position on independence, the statement continued. It added that Chen's secession activities were a selfish desire for power.

"Chen is using his 'independence' remarks in an attempt to escape criticism for sluggish economic growth, unstable social development and scandals during his terms in office," it said. The increased 'independence' activities of Chen would not only cause crisis in the area but also damage the peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region as a whoile, it noted.

All the evidence proved that the Taiwan secessionist activities were the biggest threat to peace in the Taiwan-Straits regions and Chen Shui-bian was the instigator, according to the article.

On May 17, 2004, the office made an announcement stating, "There are only two choices for the Taiwan authorities--to promote cross-Straits relations or continue 'Taiwan Independence' activities. It must make a choice."

The comments and actions of Chen Shui-bian indicated that he continued to cling onto his views on the subject of secessionism, the Director said in the article.

People on the Chinese mainland and in Taiwan have strongly condemned Chen's remarks. They've? been described as provocative. "Chen Shui-bian is doomed to get into more trouble as he promotes measures which are actually harmful to the people of Taiwan," the Director said. Chen had to stop destroying peaceful cross-Straits cooperation, he added.

It was a common wish of Chinese people on the mainland and in Taiwan that peaceful and steady progress of cross-Straits relations should be promoted continuously, the Director said. He called for every effort to be made to promote development of cross-Straits relations and the country's peaceful reunification.?

"The comments of these secessionists are unacceptable and any attempt to promote 'Taiwan Independence' is simply not on the agenda," concluded the Director.

The "NUC" was established in 1990 by the Taiwan authorities and headed by Lee Teng-hui. Fourteen meetings of the group were held over the years. However, no "NUC" meeting has been convened since Chen Shui-bian became Taiwan leader.

The "National Unification Guidelines" were issued in 1991. They state that both the mainland and Taiwan are under the sovereignty of China and promoting reunification should be the common goal of all the Chinese people. The guidelines also outline a three-phase plan for the realization of China's reunification.

(Xinhua News Agency February 27, 2006)