The Chinese mainland said on Tuesday that despite the strong opposition from people across the Taiwan Straits and the international community, Taiwan leader Chen Shui-bian has declared that the "National Unification Council" shall "cease to function" and the "National Unification Guidelines" shall "cease to apply."

Chen doesn't use the premeditated word "abolish" but the word "cease." But "it is just a play of words to cheat the Taiwan public and the world," said a statement jointly issued Tuesday by the Taiwan Work Office of the Chinese Communist Party Central Committee and the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council.

The statement said Chen Shui-bian's intention of seeking "Taiwan independence" is known to all.

It is apparent he attempts to speed up "Taiwan independence" through putting an end to the council and guidelines, yet he lies that the move "doesn't involve the change of the status quo," said the statement.

It is apparent he has malevolently challenged the peace across the Taiwan Straits and created tension in cross-Straits relations, yet he uses the excuse that "the mainland poses threat to Taiwan," said the statement.

It is apparent he has overturned the established foundation for cross-Straits talks and closed the door to cross-Straits consultation, yet he prattles about "building an effective mechanism to promote mutual trust and communication through consultation and dialogue."

It is apparent he has selfishly attempted to impose the nightmare of "Taiwan independence" advocated by a few people on the 23 million Taiwan people, yet he calls it "respects the free choice of Taiwan people," said the statement.

"Such tricks of Chen Shui-bian have already been seen through by the world. He will only end up hurting himself in this farce," said the statement.

(Xinhua News Agency February 28, 2006)?