Chinese govt urges Washington to oppose Taiwan separatist moves

Chinese govt urges Washington to oppose Taiwan separatist moves

China has again called on the United States to oppose any
separatist moves by ideological and diplomatic foe Taiwan, which
said on Sunday it wanted to send a delegation to the mainland to
meet eight men accused of spying.

"China urged the United States to abide by its promises and
continue to oppose any activities of the Taiwan authorities aimed
at Taiwan independence," Xinhua news agency quoted Chinese
Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan as saying on Saturday.

China considers Taiwan a renegade province to be brought back
into the fold and has threatened to attack if the island declares
independence.

The United States switched diplomatic recognition to Beijing
from Taipei in 1979 -- accepting Beijing's "one China" policy --
but remains Taiwan's main arms supplier and diplomatic ally.

"China has noticed U.S. President George W. Bush's clear
stance of adherence to the one-China policy...opposing any word
or activity of the Taiwan authority to change the status quo of
Taiwan and the U.S. authority has reiterated this stance several
times," Kong said.

China on Saturday accused Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian of
using a planned referendum alongside elections in March to
prepare for a formal declaration of independence.

"This is a one-sided provocation to the peace and stability of
the Taiwan Strait, and its essence is to use the referendum to
realize Taiwan independence in the future," Xinhua quoted the
cabinet's Taiwan Affairs Office as saying.

Chen outlined plans on Friday for the referendum which he said
was aimed at preventing mainland China from attacking Taiwan and
from unilaterally changing the political status quo.

In Taipei, an official said Taiwan wanted to send a delegation
to China to meet eight men locked up after being accused of being
spies for the island.

China paraded seven of the men before reporters on Friday in
an apparent move to embarrass Chen, but Taiwan says the men are
businessmen, not spies.