The Taiwan authorities' decision to add "Taiwan" to the cover of local passports has drawn criticism from both the mainland and Taiwan.

Taiwan leader Chen Shui-bian said on Sunday that he had given the go-ahead to do so, and the practice was described by Beijing's Taiwan Affairs Office as "inching towards Taiwan independence."

Chen said the move was necessary to distinguish the island in the international community and offer convenience to Taiwan residents.

A spokesman of the Taiwan Affairs Office said Sunday this was only an "excuse," as the main purpose was to "realize the concept of Taiwan independence" and it is worth "paying attention to the move" in the future.

Taiwan's "lawmaker" Fung Hu-hsiang, who is from the island's New Party, said that the Taiwan authorities' practice is "walking towards Taiwan independence," Xinhua reported yesterday.

Cao Yuanzhang, who is from the People First Party of Taiwan, said it is the new move taken by Taiwan authorities to implement the policy of "Taiwan independence" and split the country step by step.

"Foreign ministry" spokesman of Taiwan Chang Siao-yue said yesterday that details of the passport alteration had not yet been fixed.

Chen Shui-bian, from the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party, grabbed power after defeating the Kuomintang party in the election in 2000.

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