Russia said in a statement on Monday that it firmly opposes Taiwan separatism in any form and adheres to the one-China policy.

"Lately, the Taiwan authorities have made several statements that are of serious concern to Russia. In particular, we were bewildered by the ideas put forth by Chen Shui-bian on January 29, which run counter to his earlier promises and commitments," Itar-Tass reported, citing a statement issued by the Russian Foreign Ministry.

 

"His (Chen Shui-bian's) intention to liquidate the 'National Reunification Council' and give up the program of national reunification indicates that the Taiwanese leadership is not interested in building constructive dialogue with the mainland. This may be regarded as a movement toward the 'independence of Taiwan'," the statement said.

 

"To the best of our knowledge, such steps are at variance with the expectations of the majority of people in Taiwan. Not only do they fail to pursue the interests of maintaining peace and stability (across the Taiwan Straits) ... but they are also fraught with serious consequences for the Asia Pacific region as a whole," it added.

 

Russia firmly believes that "There is only one China in the world, and Taiwan is its inalienable part," it stressed.

 

This position is "expressly stated in the Russian-Chinese Treaty of Good Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation of July 16, 2001, and in a number of Russian-Chinese documents, and is not subject to change," it said.

 

(Xinhua News Agency February 8, 2006)