Beijing condemns CPEP's invitation to Chen Shui-bian
( 2003-03-17 09:17 ) (1 )

China deeply regrets and firmly opposes an invitation issued by the Conference of Presidents of the European Parliament (CPEP) to Taiwan's Chen Shui-bian to attend its meeting and make a speech on March 26.

A spokesman for the first session of the 10th National People's Congress (NPC) commented on the CPEP's recent decision in Beijing on Saturday.

The Taiwan question is central to China's sovereignty and territorial integrity and concerns all Chinese people, including Taiwan compatriots, he said.

The spokesman said it is internationally recognized there is only one China, which includes both the mainland and Taiwan.

While the Chinese Government is devoted to achieving peaceful reunification of the motherland by implementing the policy of "one country, two systems," Taiwan's leader Chen Shui-bian refuses to accept the one-China principle and instead advocates "one country on each side" (of the Taiwan Straits) and wants to separate Taiwan from China, he said.

The spokesman said Chen has been visiting and lobbying other countries to gain support for his separatist activities. By adhering to his stance of "Taiwan independence" and carrying out separatist activities, Chen poses the greatest threat to peace and stability in the region, he said.

The spokesman said it is regrettable that the CPEP has decided to invite Chen to attend its meeting and use the platform to advocate his separatist position. This decision violates the European Union (EU)'s political commitment to the one-China principle and ignores its co-operative ties with China, he said.

The decision is contrary to the current, sound development of Sino-European relations and connives with the forces advocating "Taiwan independence," the spokesman said. It also defies China's sovereignty and territorial integrity and will undoubtedly seriously damage the development of Sino-European friendship.

The spokesman said that NPC members ardently hope their counterparts at the European Parliament will recognize Chen's real intent - that is, to push for "Taiwan independence," split China and sabotage Sino-European relations - and revoke their invitation.

China also hopes the European Parliament, as an important EU organization, considers Sino-European relations and adheres to the one-China policy that the union has reiterated time and again, he said.

In another development, Taiwan politicians have criticized Lee Teng-hui, who made new separatist remarks on Saturday.

According to a China News Service report, Lee said at an annual session of a pro-Taiwan independence organization that the most important task for Taiwan now is to change its name from the present "Republic of China" to "Taiwan."