Russia Monday strongly condemned the Taiwan authority's declaration to hold a "referendum on UN membership in the name of Taiwan" on March 22, saying it poses a grave problem for the world.

The decision of the Taiwan authority led by Chen Shui-bian to hold the "referendum", despite strong objections from the Chinese central government and the world community, will pose a severe threat to peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits and to the Asian-Pacific region, said Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Losyukov.

"It will make international situation more complicated," the senior diplomat said when he met with Chinese Ambassador Liu Guchang in Moscow, expressing Russia's grave concern over the issue.

The "referendum on UN membership" is another step of the island's secessionist activity that seeks the so-called "Taiwan independence" and is a dangerous political game that will have severe consequences, diplomatic sources quoted him as saying.

Such a move by the Taiwan authority will bring no good to Taiwan but isolation and damage to its development, Losyukov said, noting the consequence could be destructive.

Russia holds an unswerving and clear stance on the Taiwan issue. It maintains that Taiwan is an inalienable part of the Chinese territory and the government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legitimate government representing the whole China, Losyukov said.

Russia firmly opposes Taiwan's membership in any international organizations that consist of sovereign states, firmly opposes Taiwan's so-called "membership in the United Nations" in any name and firmly opposes "Taiwan independence" activities in any form, he said.

Russia will continue to work along with China and the international community to prevent the risky activities of the Taiwan authority, the deputy foreign minister said.
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(Xinhua News Agency February 5, 2008)