The official said that sticking points in relations between Taiwan and the Chinese mainland should be handled and resolved by people from both sides of the Taiwan Straits.

What concerns the US is that the Taiwan question be resolved through peaceful means, the official said in a telephone interview with Xinhua News Agency.

In remarks made on August 3, Chen Shui-bian denied Taiwan is a part of China, saying that the two sides of the Straits are two equal sovereign nations; in other words that "each side is a country." He also called for legislation on a referendum to decide the future of the island in a bid to split China.

Pakistan, in response to the separatist-minded remarks, reaffirmed on Saturday that it believes in the one-China policy.

A Foreign Office spokesman said in a press release that Pakistan believes in the one-China policy, under which Taiwan is an inalienable part of the People's Republic of China.

The spokesman said that Pakistan also holds that the government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legitimate government representing the whole of China, including both the mainland and Taiwan.

The Chinese communities in Wellington, New Zealand, yesterday condemned Taiwan leader Chen Shui-bian's remarks and expressed firm support for China's reunification cause.

At a forum held yesterday, representatives of six local Chinese organizations lashed out at Chen's statement. They stressed that it is the duty of overseas Chinese in every corner of the world to prevent Chen's plot of realizing Taiwan independence.

In a statement, they expressed their worry and indignation over Chen's words and deeds.

There is only one China in the world, the statement said, adding that those who take action towards Taiwan independence are doomed to failure and will be condemned by history.

(China Daily August 12, 2002)