Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, the Philippines and Myanmar have reiterated their support for the one-China principle and denounced Taiwan leader Chen Shui-bian's decision to cease the function of the "National Unification Council" (NUC) and the application of the "National Unification Guidelines."

The Foreign Ministry of Kazakhstan issued a statement on Saturday, saying Kazakstan sticks to the one-China principle.

The government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legitimate government representing the whole of China and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China, the statement said.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the Uzbek Foreign Ministry said the Uzbek government condemns any attempts to create "two Chinas" or "one China, one Taiwan."

Uzbekistan steadfastly sticks to its position on the Taiwan issue, as is clearly stated in the joint communique on establishing diplomatic relations between Uzbekistan and China and in the Uzbek-Chinese Treaty of Good Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation.

Also on Saturday, the Philippine Foreign Ministry issued a statement, saying the Philippines upholds the one-China principle and expressing the hope that the Taiwan issue will be resolved in a way which is peaceful and conducive to peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region.

Myanmar's official newspaper New Light of Burma reported on Sunday that "The federal government of Myanmar believes that the (Chen Shui-bian's) decision will increase tensions in cross-Straits relations and undermine peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region."

Therefore, the decision is unacceptable to the whole region, the Myanmar government was quoted as saying.

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 Chinese 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 6, 2006)