The Russian Foreign Ministry on Saturday reiterated that it is against "Taiwan independence", confirming its consistent support for the one-China policy.

"Russia is against Taiwan's independence in any possible form," Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Yakovenko said in a statement posted on the ministry's official website.

Yakovenko made the statement in connection with the upcoming deliberation of a draft anti-secession law by China's top legislature National People's Congress Standing Committee scheduled for Dec. 25 to 29.

"There is only one China existing in the world. The government of the People's Republic of China is the only legitimate government representing the entire China, and Taiwan is China's inseparable part," the statement said.

"We do not accept the concept of 'two Chinas' or 'one China and one Taiwan'. Russia consistently supports China's efforts towards peaceful resolution of the Taiwan problem," Yakovenko reaffirmed.

"In line with the July 16, 2001 Russian-Chinese treaty on good neighborliness, friendship and cooperation, Russia confirms China's policy in the issues concerning protection of its state unity and territorial integrity," Yakovenko noted.

(Xinhua News Agency December 20, 2004)