Taiwan's leader Chen Shui-bian has turned a blind eye to historical facts by promoting Taiwan independence, said a signed article to be published in today's Guangming Daily.

Yu Pei, director of the Institute of World History under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, says in the article that historically, Taiwan has been an inalienable part of China's territory, which was confirmed by the international community in the Cairo Declaration.

No country has challenged this point no matter what attitude it adopts towards China, but Chen, disregarding historical facts, publicly juggles history and wantonly tries for "Taiwan independence", the article says.

The Cairo Declaration, signed by China, the United States and Britain on December 1, 1943, demanded that all the territories Japan had stolen from China, such as Northeast China, Taiwan and the Penghu Islands, be returned to China.

On July 26, 1945, China, the United States and Britain issued the Potsdam Proclamation which again stipulated that the terms of the Cairo Declaration shall be carried out.

On September 2, 1945, Japan agreed to accept all the items of the Potsdam Proclamation in its capitulation, and hand over all captured territory including Taiwan, the article says, noting China regained sovereignty over Taiwan that same year.

Chen and his party's pro-independence activities, including remarks like "one China, one Taiwan" and "one country on each side", and the referendum plan on a "new constitution", will not be tolerated by the Chinese people, including the compatriots in Taiwan.

Chen, as a trouble maker in international society, damages the fundamental interests of Taiwan compatriots and brings disaster to Taiwan, the article says.

Meanwhile, Washington reportedly warned Taipei not to include the topic of independence in its referendum law or plan to write a constitution.

In an interview with Hong Kong-based Phoenix TV, an 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.

(China Daily HK Edition November 28, 2003)