The "referendum" promoted by Taiwan leader Chen Shui-bian over
whether the island should join the United Nations under the name
"Taiwan" will have a strong impact on cross-Straits relations, a
senior mainland official warned yesterday.
Yang Yi, spokesman for the State Council's Taiwan Affairs
Office, told a press conference that the "referendum" was an
important step towards "de jure independence of Taiwan" promoted by
Chen Shui-bian.
"The mainland side has the necessary preparations to firmly
deter any hazardous separatist activity," said Yang.
The Taiwan authorities, in the face of criticism from Taiwan
media and the opposition of the international community, are
promoting the "referendum", which seriously endangers the peace of
the Taiwan Straits, Yang said.
The Taiwan authorities raised the issue just before the election
for the Taiwan leader and have said they wanted to combine the
"referendum" with the election. Their aim is to cheat Taiwan people
to get more votes and seek "Taiwan independence", said Yang.
If the situation continues, it will definitely have a strong
impact on cross-Straits relations, infringe upon the interests of
Taiwan and endanger the peace and stability of the Taiwan Straits
and the Asian-Pacific region, Yang said.
"We hope Taiwan compatriots and the international community see
clearly Chen Shui-bian's evil intentions in promoting the
'referendum' and the serious harm caused by it," said Yang.
"The mainland will monitor the situation closely. We will not
allow the Taiwan secessionists to split Taiwan from China in any
form or by any means," Yang added.
The spokesman also urged Taiwan authorities to honor their word
and allow the 2008 Olympic torch to pass through Taipei.
He said the mainland hopes Taiwan will respect the torch relay
consensus reached by the Beijing Organizing Committee for the 2008
Olympic Games (BOCOG) and the Chinese Taipei Olympic Committee
(CTOC).
"The mainland hopes Taiwan authorities will not let politics
interfere with this event," Yang said.
He said the route chosen respected the Olympic Charter and IOC
rules and regulations. The Taipei route had been chosen after full
discussions between the BOCOG and the CTOC.
The route has been approved by the International Olympic
Committee.
"The mainland hopes Taiwan will accept the torch relay route and
that Taiwan compatriots will be able to see the flame pass through
Taiwan," Yang said.
CTOC Chairman Tsai Chen-wei confirmed in March that the Olympic
flame would fly from Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam to Taipei and
leave for Hong Kong after the relay in Taipei.
The BOCOG on April 26 unveiled the 137,000-km torch relay route
for the 2008 Olympics, including a stop at Taipei.
But some of Taiwan's pro-independence officials immediately
rejected the route, claiming the plan "belittles" Taiwan.
(Xinhua News Agency June 14, 2007)