Chinese Minister says Taiwans referendum bid could be risky

Beijings top official on cross-Straits affairs has condemned a referendum push by Taiwan leader Chen Shui-bian, saying it could usher in a period of high-risk.

New Delhi, Dec.18 : Beijing's top official on cross-Straits affairs has condemned a referendum push by Taiwan leader Chen Shui-bian, saying it could usher in a period of "high-risk".

The China daily quoted Chen Yunlin, Minister of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, as saying that the referendum was aimed at granting de jure independence for Taiwan.

The Taiwan authorities led by Chen Shui-bian are "attempting to change the cross-Straits status quo that both the mainland and Taiwan belong to one China " Chen Yunlin said in a signed article published Monday in the latest issue of Qiushi (Seeking Truth) journal, a publication of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China.

The article came amid mounting concerns from across the Straits and international community over the proposed referendum, which is expected to strain cross-Straits relations and threaten regional stability.

In an interview with a German newspaper published Monday, Chen Shui-bian insisted the referendum for Taiwan's admission to the UN will be slated for March as scheduled, along with the island's "presidential" elections.

The Taiwan leader was quoted as saying he has no rights to "veto the referendum".

Raymond Burghardt, chairman of the American Institute in Taiwan, rapped Chen Shui-bian in a meeting in Taipei last week, saying the United States is greatly concerned about the referendum and hopes it will be scrapped.

He said his remarks represented views from the "highest level in Washington".

The minister said the fight against pro-independence forces is becoming more and more intense as their secessionist activities are being intensified.

He stressed that "China's sovereignty and territorial integrity brook no division, and any matter in this regard must be decided by the entire Chinese people, including our Taiwan compatriots".

He reiterated that Beijing will stay on high alert of any desperate moves of the secessionist forces of Taiwan.

ANI