A mainland official yesterday lashed out against the
secessionist activities of Taiwan leader Chen Shui-bian and the
ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).
Li Weiyi, spokesman for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State
Council, told a press conference that the real aim of the
"referendum" promoted by Chen and the DPP about whether the island
should join the United Nations under the name of "Taiwan" is to
change the status of Taiwan and split it from China.
"We are monitoring the situation closely," Li said.
"We will not tolerate 'Taiwan Independence', and we will not
tolerate the Taiwan secessionists' efforts to split Taiwan from
China in any form and by whatever means," Li said.
He also condemned the so-called "normal country resolution"
being drafted by the DPP.
"It's a dangerous act by a small number of diehard Taiwan
separatists who want to impose their 'Taiwan independence' ideas on
all members of the DPP."
The so-called "resolution" refers to establishing a "Taiwan
country", enacting a new "constitution", and "de-sinicizing".
It aims to create conditions for the "de jure independence of
Taiwan", provoke conflicts within Taiwan society and cause tension
across the Taiwan Straits, Li said.
He emphasized that DPP leaders and the small number of diehard
secessionists must give up their "Taiwan Independence" attempts and
cease separatist activities.
The mainland has always believed that most DPP members do not
share the views of the small number of diehard secessionists, Li
said.
"We believe most DPP members understand not only Taiwan's
history but also the trends in cross-Straits relations and in the
world, and understand that "Taiwan Independence" is doomed to
fail," Li said.
As soon as the DPP gives up its pro-independence policy and
stops secessionist activities, the mainland will respond
positively, Li said.
In another development, Li said the mainland had come to the
rescue of Taiwan in the oversupply of fruit. It bought 78 million
yuan (US$10.2 million) worth of fruits from the island
province.
Between January 2005 and April this year, the mainland had
bought more than 8,700 tons of fruits from Taiwan, Li said.
In August 2005, the mainland scrapped tax on 15 kinds of fruits
from Taiwan.
Song Dexing, director general of the department of waterway
transportation of the transportation ministry, said the mainland
welcomes Taiwan companies to participate in the construction of
docks and roads.
He urged the two sides to strengthen cooperation in rescues and
salvaging in the Taiwan Straits.
(China Daily, Xinhua News Agency May 31, 2007)