Overseas Chinese have blasted Taiwan authority leader Chen Shui-bian for his latest secessionist move, accusing him of acting against the trend of cross-strait relations and impairing Asia-Pacific stability.

Chen announced his decision to cease the function of the "National Unification Council" (NUC) and the application of the "National Unification Guidelines" on Monday and formally signed papers endorsing his move on Tuesday, despite repeated warnings.

The Washington Association for Peaceful Unification of China said in a statement that the move had totally broken Chen's past promises on cross-strait relations and revealed his true face as a vanguard pusher for "Taiwan independence."

His careful choice of using the word "cease" instead of "abolish" does not mean he has changed his stance on "Taiwan independence." It is a trick to cheat the Taiwan public, while sending propaganda out to the world, the group said.

Chen Qingquan, chairman of the United Chinese Associations of Eastern America, said in a speech that the move was another dangerous step taken by Chen Shui-bian on his road to "Taiwan independence."

Kevin Wong, executive chairman of the Associations, said that rather than "abolishing" the council and the guidelines outright, Chen Shui-bian used the term of letting them "cease to apply." Yet, this play on words cannot hide his real motives of pushing for Taiwan's independence.

All Chinese, wherever they live, should rise to condemn this act with a secessionist nature, he added.

The Coalition for Peaceful Unification of China in southern California said in a statement that the move made by the Taiwan authorities ran counter to the fundamental interests of the Taiwan people and the Chinese nation as a whole.

Chen Shui-bian wants to benefit from the cross-strait tension heightened by his move, Li Yang, deputy chairman of the Coalition for Peaceful Unification of China in the greater Los Angeles area, said at a news conference.

The Russian Association for Peaceful Unification of China said in a statement that cross-strait relations had built up good momentum under joint efforts of the people of Taiwan and mainland China since 2005. However, Chen Shui-bian, for his self interest, adopted a more extreme secessionist policy of "Taiwan independence" while bringing the peace of the Taiwan Straits and the interests of the Taiwan people into jeopardy.

Facts have proven that Chen Shui-bian is a troublemaker of the Taiwan island, the cross-strait relations and the Asia-Pacific region. His provocative move goes against the trend of cross-strait relations and impairs Asia-Pacific stability.

Some Chinese scholars in Canada said Chen Shui-bian had openly backtracked on his past promises and abandoned the Taiwan people's current bliss. His secessionist move will surely spark a crisis in the Taiwan Straits and ruin regional peace and stability, they added.

The German Association for Peaceful Unification of China said Chen Shui-bian's act had severely damaged cross-strait stability and communications. It has hurt the fundamental interests of the Taiwan compatriots and meanwhile bankrupted Chen's personal credibility and dignity.

The group said Chen's stubborn adherence to "Taiwan independence" had entered a more dangerous phase. His remarks and deeds artificially strained cross-straits ties, cornered the Taiwan compatriots, and brought a huge threat to regional peace and stability.

Ji Xinyan, chairman of the Slovakian Association for Peaceful Unification of China, said Taiwan was an inseparable part of Chinese territory, adding that no one could deny this fact. Chen Shui-bian has escalated his secessionist activities step by step. His words and deeds have not only damaged the cross-strait relations but they have impaired the Taiwan people's interests.

The Japanese Association for Peaceful Unification of China also issued a statement, saying Chen's attempts to reverse his commitments and speed up his steps toward "Taiwan independence," pose a serious challenge to Taiwan mainstream public opinion and practical interests. The move also challenges the Chinese people's strong will to defend the cause of national unification, the international community and world peace.

Groups of overseas Chinese in Australia, Costa Rica, Bulgaria, Chile and Panama also filed similar statements or complaints against Chen's move.

The "NUC" was set up in 1990 by the Taiwan authorities headed by Lee Teng-hui. A total of 14 meetings were held after its establishment. However, no "NUC" meeting has been held since Chen Shui-bian became Taiwan leader.

The "National Unification Guidelines" were issued in 1991, saying both the mainland and Taiwan are under the sovereignty of China and the promotion of the state's reunification should be the common task of all Chinese.

The guidelines also outlined a three-phase goal for the realization of China's reunification.
 
(Xinhua News Agency March 1, 2006)