Taiwan's authorities has decided to raise two "referenda" on March 22 that will unilaterally change the island's status quo, Taiwan media reported.

According to the reports, the "Central Election Committee" of Taiwan authorities agreed on Friday to hold a "referendum on UN membership in the name of Taiwan" and a "referendum to resume UN membership in the name of the Republic of China".

The committee decided that the two "referenda" would be held on the same day as an election of Taiwan leader on March 22, the reports said.

The "referendum on UN membership in the name of Taiwan" was initiated by Taiwan's authority, although it was rejected by the UN secretariat on July 23 and the chairman of the UN Security Council on July 31 last year.

The "referendum to resume UN membership in the name of the Republic of China" was originated by Taiwan's Kuomintang Party.

(Xinhua News Agency February 2, 2008)