Cross-Straits political relations have been icy, without any sign of a thaw since Taiwan's pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) came into power on the island in 2000.

To gain an advantage in the forthcoming "presidential election" over the pan-blue camp -- its main political rival, consisting of the alliance of Kuomintang Chairman Lien Chan and People First Party Chairman James Soong -- the ruling DPP has again and again used cross-Straits relations as its political card.

Following the creation of the "one country on each side" theory concocted by Taiwan "president" Chen Shui-bian, a flagrant independence trumpeter following in the footsteps of former "president" Lee Teng-hui, in August 2002, the DPP has continued to espouse other more sensitive topics, such as "pushing for changing the name of 'the Republic of China'," "drafting a 'constitution' through a referendum" and "hastening to give birth to a new 'constitution'," to foster anti-mainland feeling on the island.

Such moves are serious contradictions of the fact that both Taiwan and the mainland have been part of China since ancient times, and have plunged cross-Straits ties into a deteriorating situation.

In the past two years, Chen has deliberately put on the agenda producing a "constitution" through a referendum," a sensitive political issue, to reverse his unfavourable predicament brought about by his bad political and economic performances ahead of the "presidential" campaign.

In fact, Chen's "one country on each side" theory put forward in August 2002 and his clamour to give birth to a new "constitution" through a referendum one year later, in large measure, are tactics to distract voters' attention from his failing domestic economic and political performance.

At the same time, his two proposals are also seen as ways to clear the path to his daydream of an independent "Taiwan state."

Obviously, Chen has played on so-called public opinion to bring to fruition his selfish political purposes.

Such tricks have been employed repeatedly by Taiwan authorities in the past.

Take the two parades that took place in Taiwan on September 6 and October 25, 2003, for example: A large number of the island's residents were employed by Taiwan authorities to take to street.

It is natural that some common people were willing to take on such an easy job for a few favours, given that they have been plagued by a prolonged economic slump and high unemployment in the island.

Chen Shui-bian has only a few million supporters on the island, but many more million island residents do not buy his referendum proposal.

Add to this the 1.3 billion Chinese on the mainland, and the hundreds of thousands of patriotic compatriots opposing Taiwan independence around the world, and you see just how flimsy Chen's position is.

It is well-known that Taiwan is part of China's territory. A referendum, if allowed, should include all Chinese people, not just those in Taiwan. Otherwise, taking the referendum will be illegitimate and invalid.

That the campaign to pass the legislation with a referendum was stopped in Taiwan's "legislative yuan" on November 27, and the edition put forward by the Kuomintang and PFP which excluded the articles on "state sovereignty" and "reunification and independence," was finally passed demonstrates that the majority of legislative members remain cool-headed.

But some extremist separatists, with their daydream of an independent Taiwan, still claim they will continue to struggle to clear the way for the referendum. Chen Shui-bian even claimed he would hold the "presidential" election and the referendum at the same time.

The successful application of "one country, two systems" in Hong Kong and Macao tells people that the great formula is also workable in Taiwan. And this has put heavy pressure upon a handful of diehard Taiwan authorities who continue to dream of a Taiwan independent from the mainland.

Thus, it is natural that they have tried their utmost to lash out at the "one country, two systems" policy by making a fuss about the demonstration in Hong Kong in July 2003. But Hong Kong people's free parade to express their own opinions exactly demonstrated that the central government keeps its distance from Hong Kong affairs.

In fact, the reason why Taiwan authorities have so far not accepted the workable concept should be attributed to the trouble caused by Taiwan pro-independence forces.

It has gradually become clear that Taiwan pro-independence forces are now nothing more than troublemakers for the Taiwan people, cross-Straits relations, and healthy Sino-US relations, as well as an irritant to all peace-loving people around the world.

(China Daily February 2, 2004)