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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, December 02, 2003

US opposed to referendum on Taiwan Independence

The US government has for the first time said in public that it would be opposed to any referendum that would change Taiwan's status or move it towards independence.


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The US government has for the first time said in public that it would be opposed to any referendum that would change Taiwan's status or move it towards independence.

US State Department spokesman Richard Boucher made the statement when if the US side had any further comments on Taiwan's referendum bill passed last week, especially Chen Shuibian's latest proposal to hold a referendum in March 2004 on the so-called "national identity issue".

Boucher said the United States opposes any attempt by either side across the Taiwan Straits to unilaterally change the status quo, and also urges both sides to refrain from actions or statements that increase tensions or make dialogue more difficult to achieve.

Boucher notes that Chen Shuibian pledged not to declare independence, not to change Taiwan's official name, not to add state-to-state theory to the constitution, and not to promote a referendum that would change the status quo on independence or unification.

Boucher stressed the United States took those words very seriously.

China Urges US to Stick to "One China"
Foreign Ministry Spokesman Liu Jianchao said Tuesday China hopes the United States can deal with the Taiwan issue properly, helping to maintain the regional stability and common interests of China and US.

Liu Jianchao said at a press conference that some separatists in the island province are promoting "referenda" in the name of human rights and democracy. He defined the move as dangerous and fraudulent.

At Tuesday's briefing, Liu Jianchao again urged the US side to abide by the three joint communiqu��s and stick to the "One China" Principle as well as oppose "Taiwan Independence".

By People's Daily Online


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