In recent days, main Taiwan parties, media and both renowned and common people have strongly criticized Chen Shui-bian's remarks of abolishing the "National Unification Council" (NUC).

Chen Shui-bian proposed on January 29 in his Lunar New Year speech the termination of the NUC and the "National Unification Guidelines" and "the application for United Nations membership under the name of Taiwan."

Ma Ying-jeo, chairman of the Kuomintang Party, said on Jan. 29 Chen Shui-bian has declared twice before that he will not abolish the "NUC".

On May 20, 2000, Chen promised not to declare Taiwan independence, 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 "National Unification Guidelines."

If Chen Shui-bian breaks his promise, his credibility will be in doubt, Ma said. "A price will be paid for dishonest actions."

People First Party Chairman James Soong on February 3 said Chen Shui-bian's remarks show he will pursue its "Taiwan independence" guidelines in the following two years of his term.

Chen's remarks proved that he tried to salvage his power in the Democratic Progressive Party at the cost of provoking tension between the two sides across the Taiwan Straits, according to Soong.

Chen is hoping to transfer the focus of the common people, aiming to mask his image of corruption and failure in governing, Soong added.

The Taiwan-based "Central Daily", published on February 3 predicted Chen's remarks will have two possible results: one is that Chen's remarks will not be paid attention to and the other is that his remarks will force Taiwan into a blind alley.

The editorial of the United Daily News on January 30 said it is quite sure that Chen Shui-bian has no credibility.

On the same day, a senior journalist of the China Times said in his new analysis that Chen has embarked on an explicitly antagonistic road.

A lawyer surnamed Xu, who once acted as the policy consultant to Chen Shui-bian, said that if Chen Shui-bian breaks his promise of not abolishing the "NUC", he will endanger the cross-Straits relations and arouse concern from the Taiwan parties and the international community.

The "NUC" was established in 1990 by the Taiwan authority headed by Lee Teng-hui and fourteen meetings were held after its establishment. No "NUC" meeting has been held since Chen Shui-bian headed the Taiwan authority. The "National Unification Guidelines" were issued in 1991, saying both the mainland and Taiwan are under the sovereignty of China and promoting the state's reunification should be the common task of all Chinese. The guidelines also outlined a three-phase goal for the realization of China's reunification.

(Xinhua News Agency February 8, 2006)