Washington has warned Taipei not to include the topic of independence in its referendum law or plan to write a constitution, according to a senior US official.

In an interview with Hong Kong-based Phoenix TV, the unidentified White House official said the Bush administration has sent a clear message to Taiwan that it does not want the island to make any pro-independence moves or take any steps aimed at Taiwan independence.

The United States has made it clear that such moves by Taiwan would be very dangerous, the official said.

He added that Washington will firmly oppose any Taiwanese move that involves independence issues.

The official stressed that the United States sees creating conditions for cross-Straits dialogue as a very important task, because peaceful ties are in the Unites States' best interests.

As for the upcoming US visit by Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, the official said President George W. Bush is expecting wide discussion about Sino-US relations with Wen. The official also said the United States hopes to continue to build a frank, constructive and co-operative relationship with China.

(China Daily November 28, 2003)