The United States has renewed its opposition to "Taiwan independence" in reaction to Taiwan leader Chen Shui-bian's recent secessionist move.

"We do not support Taiwan independence, and we oppose unilateral changes to the status quo by either side," US State Department spokesman Adam Ereli said at a news briefing on Tuesday.

He said the United States has a one-China policy based on the Taiwan Relations Act and the three US-China joint communiques.

"I think our position is clear," he said.

Ereli said the Taiwan leadership has made public commitments with regard to its cross-strait policy, and that these commitments are well-known. "We take them seriously. And we expect that they'll be sustained," he added.

In a statement on March 2, the US State Department asked the Taiwan authorities "unambiguously affirm that the Feb. 27 announcement (by Chen Shui-bian) did not abolish the National Unification Council, did not change the status quo, and that the assurances remain in effect."

"Abrogating an assurance would be changing the status quo, and that would be contrary to that understanding," the statement said.

Taiwan leader Chen Shui-bian announced his decision to cease the functioning of the "National Unification Council" (NUC) and the application of the "National Unification Guidelines" on Feb. 27 amid grave international concerns and repeated warnings.

The "NUC" was set up in 1990 by the Taiwan authorities headed by Lee Teng-hui. A total of 14 meetings were held after its establishment.

The "National Unification Guidelines" were issued in 1991, saying both the Chinese mainland and Taiwan are under the sovereignty of China and the promotion of 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 March 16, 2006)