China's central authorities on Saturday responded to Taiwan
authority's declaration to hold a "referendum on U.N. membership in
the name of Taiwan" on March 22, saying such a move could seriously
disturb peace in the region.
The decision of the Taiwan authority led by Chen Shui-bian to
hold the "referendum" is a significant step in its attempt to
change the status quo that the Chinese mainland and Taiwan belong
to one China and attain "de jure independence" of Taiwan, said the
statement.
It's a referendum on "Taiwan independence" in a disguised form,
said the statement released by the Taiwan Work Office of the
Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Taiwan Affairs
Office of the State Council with an authorization.
Once this scheme is realized, it certainly will seriously impact
relations across the Taiwan Straits, seriously harm the fundamental
interests of compatriots on both sides and seriously imperil peace
in the Taiwan Straits and even peace in the Asia-Pacific region,
said the statement.
It said the Chinese mainland and Taiwan belong to one China. Any
issues involving China's sovereignty and territorial integrity must
be decided by all the 1.3 billion people of the entire China,
Taiwan compatriots included.
"We pay close attention to development of this 'referendum'
issue. If the authority led by Chen Shui-bian stubbornly risks
danger in desperation, it will certainly pay a heavy cost," said
the statement.
People on both the mainland and the island are brothers in flesh
and blood and they share the same fundamental interests, the
statement said.
Conflicts and disputes between the two sides of the Straits
could well be solved by equal consultations in the process of
peaceful development of cross-Straits relations, it said.
The statement called on Taiwan compatriots to realize the ugly
intention of Chen to raise the "referendum" and its serious
consequences. It emphasized that resolutely checking activities
seeking "Taiwan Independence" is an essential premise to
maintaining peace in the Taiwan Straits.
(Xinhua News Agency February 3, 2008)