Chen advocated a referendum on Taiwan's future destiny at an appropriate time and stated that "Each side is a country" while addressing an annual meeting of an overseas Taiwanese association in Tokyo, Japan, on August 3.

The commentary says that Chen's remarks preaching "Taiwan Independence" are the same as, or even worse than, the state-to-state statement masterminded by his predecessor Lee Teng-hui.

Chen had repeatedly stated he would not seek "Taiwan independence", not promote the state-to-state concept being written in Taiwan's "constitution", and not push forward holding a referendum.

In fact, Chen has not only refused to accept the one-China principle but has gone too far in promoting Taiwan's independence gradually, the commentary says.

Chen's recent remarks have shown his real intention to seek "Taiwan independence", which is strongly opposed by the Chinese government.

Most Taiwan people hope to develop local economy, improve living standard, and maintain a stable relationship with the motherland. However, Chen has neglected the wish of Taiwan residents and has imposed the myth of "Taiwan Independence" which is upheld by a group of pro-independence diehards only, and not the island's 23 million people, according to the commentary.

The commentary says Chen's pro-independence speech will jeopardize the well-being of Taiwan people and drag Taiwan into war.

Taiwan has never in its history been an independent country and its sovereignty belongs to the 1.3 billion Chinese people including those in Taiwan. All the Chinese people as a whole have the final say in deciding Taiwan's future.

In fact, Taiwan is an inalienable part of China and the one-China principle is accepted by the majority of countries throughout the world including the United States. Nothing can alter the truth, according to the commentary.

Chen's overt challenge to the one-country principle is in open defiance of world order. The commentary regards Chen as a troublemaker in cross-Straits relations, just as his predecessor Li Teng-hui was.

To keep China's territorial intact and maintain sovereignty is of the highest importance to Chinese people, and this will never change. China needs a peaceful environment to further its development and hopes to settle the Taiwan problem in a peaceful way.

However, China will never sit and watch a handful of Taiwan separatists who impose their separatist attempts, the commentary says.

In fact, Chen's remarks on "Each side is a country" have been widely condemned among overseas Chinese compatriots and the international community. His pro-independence conspiracy will not succeed.

(Xinhua News Agency August 6, 2002)