The United States has sent a clear signal to Taiwan. Its Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice described Taiwan authorities' planned referendum on joining the United Nations as provocative and unhelpful.

Such a statement from the US is necessary and important because these people have long considered the US as a strong backer in the international arena.

Once again, the Taiwan authorities have been trying to push the envelop by coming up with a proposal to join the UN through a referendum on the island province.

This will dangerously affect the status quo of relations across the Taiwan Straits.

Ostensibly, such a move by Taiwan authorities is not what the US wants to see. If the Taiwan authorities want to throw down the gauntlet to the mainland in its resolve to keep the Chinese territory whole, the US does not want to be dragged into the mud.

The Taiwan authorities' proposal to put the island's UN membership to a vote alongside elections in March is a step toward the island's secession. Chen Shui-bian came up with the idea for his personal gain - soliciting support for his Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).

Rice's comment on Taiwan authorities' planned referendum has caused strong reverberations on the island. Taiwan media and analysts are trying to guess what the comment means to their relations and the DPP.

For the first time, the US Secretary of State has issued a warning to Taiwan.

Making a quick response to Rice, Chen and his supporters said they would go ahead with the planned referendum. In other words, they are going to keep creating tension across the Taiwan Straits.

They have given no thought to the wellbeing of the 23 million people on the island as Rice said the referendum "promises no real benefits for the people of Taiwan on the international stage".

When Taiwan was expelled from the UN in 1971, the world organization recognized that Taiwan is part of China. The UN Secretary-General has said it would not be legally possible for his office to accept an application for UN membership from Taiwan because of the 1971 resolution.

The political challenge from the Taiwan authorities can do nothing to change the fact that the island is part of China but invite more contempt from the international community.

(China Daily December 25, 2007)