The Chinese Ambassador to the UN, Wang Guangya, met separately with UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and General Assembly President Jan Eliasson on Wednesday to convey the grave concerns of the Chinese government over Taiwan leader Chen Shui-bian's latest secessionist move.

 

Chen declared Monday afternoon that the "National Unification Council" would "cease to function" and that the "National Unification Guidelines" would "cease to apply."

 

After his meeting with Eliasson, Wang told reporters that he had briefed the two UN leaders on the dangerous situation created by Chen's move, and particularly stressed that the move is an affront to the one-China principle which has been endorsed by the international community.

 

Chen's move poses a serious threat to the current peaceful situation between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan, said Wang.

 

Annan said that he has closely followed the developments over the last couple of days and is concerned over the dangerous situation set up by Chen's statements, according to Wang.

 

Annan also reiterated the UN's adherence to the one-China principle, Wang said.

 

Eliasson reiterated the UN's clear position on the Taiwan issue, citing Resolution 2758 adopted by the General Assembly in 1971, which affirmed that Taiwan is part of China.

 

Eliasson promised that he, as the assembly president, would handle the Taiwan issue prudently and properly, Wang said.

 

Chen's move, which is a serious threat to peace in the Taiwan Straits and Asia as a whole, has drawn wide international opposition and is doomed to failure, Wang said.

 

(Xinhua News Agency March 3, 2006)