While criticizing Washington's furtive support for pro-independence activities, leading mainland experts on Taiwan studies yesterday urged the United States to stop sending wrong signals to separatist forces on the island.

Xu Shiquan, vice-chairman of the National Society of Taiwan Studies, said the US encouragement for Taiwan leader Chen Shui-bian should be partially blamed for his recent radical push for formal independence.

"Despite its pledge not to be involved in the island's elections, Washington has created a harmful impression that it has thrown weight behind Taiwan independence," he told a news conference.

The researcher said Washington should send a clear-cut signal that the United States opposes Taiwan independence.

"That's because mixed and ambiguous messages and wrong signals are set to encourage die-hard separatist members to take more aggressive and provocative pro-independence actions," he noted.

Xu said Chen's extreme push for independence impairs peace in the Asia-Pacific region and undermines Sino-US relations.

Conniving on Taiwan independence is dangerous, and goes against US interests, he added.

His comments came in response to a recent show of closer US-Taiwan ties, which observers say has greatly boosted Chen's popularity.

Breaking its decades-old practice of limiting Taiwan leaders' US activities to an unofficial level, Washington gave Chen unprecedented access and freedom during his stopover in New York. He was even provided an occasion to trumpet his plan for a new "constitution" and referendum, aimed at paving the way for independence.

Later in Panama, US Secretary of State Colin Powell shook hands and spoke with Chen. It was the highest-level contact with Washington since diplomatic ties were cut with Taiwan and Beijing was recognized.

Inspired by the moves, pro-independence forces hailed the US visit and the Powell-Chen meeting as Washington's acquiescence for a separatist bid.

Zhu Weidong, with the Institute of Taiwan Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said the US gesture has been played up by Chen to his self-interest.

"The election-minded Chen is cannily taking advantage of the US behaviour to campaign for his separatist agenda," he said.

"Wrong signals in any form from Washington will add force to Taiwan independence and spur Chen to take much bolder steps towards independence."

The researcher said Chen's pursuit of Taiwan independence could ultimately create trouble for the United States.

Despite its repeated commitment to the one-China policy, the United States still remains the island's biggest arms supplier.

(China Daily HK Edition November 20, 2003)