Chen warned not to pursue secession
By Xing Zhigang (China Daily)
Updated: 2006-02-23 05:32

Beijing has vowed "to deal with any possible complicated situation" after Taiwan "president" Chen Shui-bian yesterday reiterated his plan to scrap the island's council and guidelines on unification with the mainland.

Chen Yunlin, minister of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, called the Taiwan leader's scheme "a dangerous sign of escalation of Taiwan secessionist activities."

Chen Yunlin (R), minister of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council greets Zeng Yongquan, deputy director of Policy Research Department of Taiwan's leading opposition Kuomintang (KMT), in Beijing February 22, 2006. [Reuters]

He said cross-Straits ties will be severely dented and the fundamental interests of Taiwan compatriots will be ultimately damaged if Chen Shui-bian insists on the plan.

"We will do our best with utmost sincerity to maintain cross-Straits peace and stability while resolutely opposing any form of pro-independence activities," the minister said.

"We'll keep close watch on the development of the situation and prepare to deal with any possible complicated situation at any time."

Chen Yunlin made the remarks on the sidelines of his meeting with Taiwan's opposition Kuomintang (KMT) delegation led by Tseng Yung-chuan, director of the party's central policy committee.

His warning echoed Beijing's statements slamming Chen Shui-bian as a "troublemaker" and "saboteur" of cross-Straits ties and peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region.

Ignoring Beijing's condemnation, Chen Shui-bian has refused to go back on his decision to dismantle the "national unification council" and the 15-year-old guidelines on unification with the mainland.

In Taipei, the Taiwan leader reportedly told visiting US Congressman Rob Simmons yesterday that the council and the guidelines should be abolished "since they exclude the option of independence for Taiwan."

Last month, Chen Shui-bian first proposed scrapping the guidelines and the council, which was set up in October 1990 by then KMT administration as the island's top policy-making body on ultimate unification with the mainland.

If Chen Shui-bian dissolved the council and the guidelines, he would break a promise he made in his 2000 inauguration speech not to do so.