China's top political advisor Jia Qinglin reiterated that the
mainland will resolutely oppose "Taiwan independence" secessionist
activities at a parliament panel discussion with the country's
lawmakers on Thursday.
The 1.3 billion Chinese people have the confidence and
capability to maintain national sovereignty and territorial
integrity, and will never allow any person to split Taiwan from
China in any form, said Jia, chairman of the National Committee of
the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).
The central government's efforts in checking "Taiwan
independence" secessionist activities and promoting the peaceful
development of mainland-Taiwan relations last year helped maintain
stable ties between the two sides, Jia told a group of deputies of
Taiwan origin to the National People's Congress (NPC), China's top
legislature.
However, Jia, member of the Standing Committee of the Political
Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, also
warned of Taiwan authorities' stubborn insistence on the
secessionist road and their pursuit of "de jure independence"
through so-called "constitutional reform".
Taiwan leader Chen Shui-bian's latest secessionist remarks
marked another dangerous step toward the "independence" scheme, he
said.
At a secessionists' gathering on the night of March 4, Chen said
Taiwan must seek independence, must rectify its name, must have a
new constitution and must seek development.
Jia called more efforts to promote the peace and stability
across the Taiwan Strait under the new circumstances, with
adherence to the basic principles of "One country".
(Xinhua News Agency March)