US President George W. Bush said Tuesday that the United States opposes the efforts made by the leader of Taiwan to seek independence.  

"Let me tell you what I just told the premier on this issue. The United States government's policy is one China," President Bush told reporters in a joint appearance with visiting Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao in the Oval Office of the White House.

"We oppose any unilateral decision by either China or Taiwan to change the status quo, and the comments and actions made by the leader of Taiwan indicate that he may be willing to make decisions unilaterally to change the status quo, which we oppose."

Premier Wen stressed that China's fundamental policy on the settlement of the issue of Taiwan is "peaceful reunification and one country, two systems."

"We would do our utmost, with utmost sincerity, to bring about national unity and peaceful reunification through peaceful means," he said.

"The Chinese government respects the desire of people in Taiwan for democracy, but we must point out that the attempts of Taiwan authorities, headed by Chen Shui-bian, are only using democracy as an excuse and attempt to resort to defensive referendum to break Taiwan away from China," Wen pointed out.

"Such separatist activities are what the Chinese side can absolutely not accept and tolerate," he stressed.

The Chinese premier, who arrived in the United States on Sunday for a four-day official visit, expressed appreciation for the position adopted by President Bush on the question of Taiwan. "We appreciate the position of the US government," he said.

(Xinhua News Agency December 10, 2003)