Zhang Mingqing, spokesman with the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, made the remark Friday at a press conference in Beijing.

"The Chinese government and Chinese people will never be frightened by any threat from foreign forces," Zhang said, commenting on Bush's vow to do "whatever it takes to help Taiwan defend itself" in an interview with the ABC television network on Tuesday.

"Anybody who tries to intervene in China's internal affairs or infringe upon China's sovereignty will have to pay the price," the official said.

The US president's remark came a day after he approved the sale of the biggest arms package for Taiwan since the early 1990s when the island bought 150 American F-16 fighter jets.

Zhang said the Chinese government and people regard a complete reunification of the motherland as a major mission in this century.

"On matters of national sovereignty and territorial integrity, the Chinese people absolutely will not cave in to any pressure," Zhang said.

"Neither pro-independence forces in Taiwan nor foreign forces can stand in the way of China's realization of its sacred goal of a complete reunification," he said.

The spokesman blamed Taiwan authorities for attempting to promote Taiwan independence and refusing reunification with the Chinese mainland.

"Relying on procurement of advanced weapons to obstruct reunification can only destroy stability and peace across the Taiwan Straits, leading to a catastrophic result to Taiwan Island and Taiwan compatriots," he said.

Zhang warned that China has "had to make necessary military preparations to smash pro-independence forces" despite its "maximum sincerity to realize reunification in a peaceful way."

(China Daily 04/28/2001)