The Russian Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday that Taiwan leader Chen Shui-bian's decision to cease the function of the "National Unification Council" and the application of its guidelines was unhelpful to regional peace and stability.

Russia is closely following the situation in the Taiwan Straits and believes Chen's move "runs counter to" his own pledges, ministry spokesman Mikhail Kamynin said.

He said Russia would not change its stance on the Taiwan question, adding that the position had been expressly stated in the Russian-Chinese Treaty of Good Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation signed on July 16, 2001.

Regarding the Taiwan leader's recent secessionist remarks, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement last month that the country's position on the Taiwan question had been consistent, that is, there is only one China in the world and Taiwan is an inalienable part.

The statement said Russia opposed "Taiwan independence" in any form, and did not accept "two Chinas" or "one China one Taiwan."

(Xinhua News Agency March 2, 2006)