Xinhua News Agency published a commentary piece on Friday titled "Exposing Chen Shui-bian's political fraud," condemning Chen's separatist activities for "Taiwan Independence."

The commentary says that recently, Chen has been playing two kinds of deceitful political tricks. One is practicing "Taiwan Independence" separatism secretly under the disguise of "democracy" and "human rights," while the other is seeking independence through a referendum on a new "constitution," it says.

Chen has made his political moves more prominent overseas, pushing his messages of "one country on each side" and a "referendum for a new constitution" in the United States during his stopovers there, which again exposed his ambition of seeking Taiwan independence, the commentary notes.

Chen's behaviour has been damaging cross-Straits ties seriously of late, and could bring disastrous results to Taiwan compatriots, according to Xinhua.

The commentary points out the Taiwan question has been linked to China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as the fundamental interests of all Chinese people, which includes Taiwan compatriots.

"We respect the wishes of our Taiwan compatriots for democracy, but at the same time, we firmly oppose Chen's 'Taiwan independence' separatist moves through referendum," it says.

Since Chen's inauguration three years ago, he has walked toward the dangerous edge of separatism step by step, inciting more and more indignation from all Chinese people, and has spurred all citizens to prepare to crack down on these separatist schemes, it says.

Chinese citizens will resolutely safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and will never allow the realization of any separatist scheme, the commentary says.

(Xinhua News Agency November 8, 2003)