The development of cross-Straits relations is reached a crucial
moment and to safeguard peace is an urgent task for compatriots on
both sides, a mainland spokesman said on Wednesday.
Yang Yi, spokesman of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State
Council, said that regardless of the opposition from Taiwan
compatriots and the international community, Chen Shui-bian clings
obstinately to secessionist activities for "Taiwan independence",
including the so-called "referendum on UN membership".
"This is a severe threat to peace and stability in cross-Straits
regions," said Yang at a regular press conference.
"To firmly curb Taiwan secessionists' independence attempts and
maintain cross-Straits peace are the most important and urgent
tasks," he said.
In the past year the Taiwan authority, led by Chen, has
increased up its secessionist activities and cross-Strait tension
has risen as a result.
"We will unite with Taiwan compatriots to firmly oppose and curb
the so-called 'Constitutional reform' and 'referendum on UN
membership' for 'De Jure Independence of Taiwan'", he said.
He said the mainland will adhere to the principle of "peaceful
reunification, and one country, two systems", the eight-point
proposal for developing relations across the Taiwan Straits and the
four-point guideline on the relations with the island.
"We will further promote cross-Straits exchanges and implement
preferential policies for Taiwan compatriots," he said.
Chen's secessionist policies have not met with much support from
islanders. Taiwan's ruling party, the Democratic Progressive Party
(DPP) suffered a landslide defeat at the hands of its rival, the
Kuomintang (KMT), in "legislature" elections on Jan. 12. The KMT
won 81 of the 113 seats in the elections, beating the DPP led by
Chen, which won only 27 seats.
In the wake of the defeat, Chen resigned his post as DPP
chairman to take responsibility for what he termed the most
disastrous defeat since the DPP was founded.
(Xinhua News Agency January 30, 2008)