IN BRIEF (Page 4)

Beijing

Secessionists 'distorting history'

A spokesman for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office on Wednesday alerted people from both sides of the Taiwan Straits to the danger of historical views supporting "Taiwan independence". "Taiwan independence" secessionist forces seek to negate the Chinese nation's achievements in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1937-45) and erase Taiwan compatriots' contributions to the fight against Japan's colonial rule and the victory over Japan, said Ma Xiaoguang at a news conference. Ma was responding to a Taiwan reporter's question about Lien Chan, former Kuomintang chairman, who was criticized by some island forces for attending the Sept 3 Victory Day parade in Tian'anmen Square.