The Chinese mainland is keeping close watch over the situation in Taiwan and making preparations to cope with any possible consequences of the change of situation, said Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao Tuesday.

"We will never give up our efforts for peaceful reunification, we will never sway in opposing 'Taiwan independence' secessionist activities, and never allow anyone to secede Taiwan from the motherland," the premier said.

Wen made the remarks at a press conference shortly after the annual session of the National People's Congress (NPC) ended.

It was an overt defiance to the one-China principle for the leader of Taiwan authorities to decide the cease of function of " National Unification Council" and the cease of application of the council's guidelines on unifying with the mainland, said Wen while answering a question raised by a reporter from Taiwan.

As an ancient Chinese saying goes, the leader of Taiwan authorities will "find little support" for his unjust cause, and his move was a hazardous, dangerous and deceitful step, Wen said.

The leader of Taiwan authorities "has forgotten his root" and attempted to cut the links of Chinese compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Straits, the premier said.

"He ran counter to the trends of peace, stability and mutual benefit between Taiwan and the mainland, and also went against the wishes of the whole of the Chinese people including Taiwan compatriots," Wen said.

The Taiwan leader undermined the interests of Taiwan compatriots and "did no good" to Taiwan's economic development by obstructing the "three direct links" and restricting the trade between Taiwan and the mainland, Wen said.

(Xinhua News Agency March 14, 2006)