Chen Shui-bian, who attempted to cheat the public through his "inauguration speech" on May 20, still sticks to his "Taiwan independence" stance, and so the cross-Straits situation remains severe.

Zhang Kehui, vice-chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and president of the China Council for Promotion of Peaceful Reunification, made the remark Wednesday when meeting with a delegation composed of scholars in Macao.

Zhang expressed his hope that compatriots in Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan as well as overseas Chinese will take joint actions with the mainland compatriots to oppose Chen's "Taiwan independence" separatism.

"Macao plays a unique and important role in promoting cross-Straits relations," he said. He hoped Macao compatriots would make more contributions to the peaceful reunification of the motherland.

The delegation said Macao is deeply concerned about the current cross-Straits relations, and Macao is willing to play a more constructive role in pushing forward the peaceful reunification of the motherland.

(Xinhua News Agency June 9, 2004)