Chen's UN bid 'threatens peace, stability'

Beijing yesterday criticized Taiwan leader Chen Shui-bian for his attempt to get Taiwan into the United Nations, calling him a "schemer" and "saboteur" against peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits.

His "Taiwan independence" activities are doomed to failure, said a statement issued by the Taiwan Work Office of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council.

It follows a UN rejection of the island authorities' bid to join the world body under the name of Taiwan.