Executive Councillor Leung Chun-ying yesterday published an open letter in several newspapers demanding legislator Emily Lau clarify her stance on the issue of Taiwan independence.

"Matters concerning independence or unification are an extremely serious issue. It is not an issue that can be easily dodged," said Leung.

Lau was sharply criticized by pro-Beijing newspapers for colluding with Taiwan separatists after she attended a seminar in Taipei last year organized by Taiwan Advocates, a think-tank led by pro-independence former Taiwan leader Lee Teng-hui.

In response, Lau, of The Frontier, told reporters yesterday that she does not support Taiwan independence, arguing that she had neither donated funds nor lent any substantive support to Taiwan independence forces. She merely respects the wishes of people on the island, she said, adding that she would officially reply to Leung's demand in an open letter later.

Lau had snubbed Leung's earlier request -- made through a local newspaper on February 9 -- that she clarify her stance on the issue by responding to his six questions. The first one was what she meant by saying "respecting the choice of Taiwan people".

(China Daily HK Edition February 26, 2004)