More countries have openly joined the condemnation of Taiwan leader Chen Shui-bian's move toward "Taiwan independence", while reiterating their support of the PRC's one-China policy.

 

Hungarian Foreign Ministry spokesman Viktor Polgar on Thursday criticized Chen Shui-bian for his recent decision to cease the function of the "National Unification Council" (NUC) and the application of the "National Unification Guidelines."

 

"This is a serious provocation not only against the one-China principle followed by the international community, but against peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits", the spokesman said.

 

"It is also a dangerous step toward "Taiwan independence", triggering strong opposition from the Chinese people across the Straits and widespread condemnation from the international community", he added.

 

Gabon's Foreign Ministry issued a communique on Wednesday denouncing Chen's decision and reiterating the west-central African country's support for the cause of China's reunification.

 

"Gabon's government believes that peace, stability and development must be on the premise of respecting national sovereignty and territorial integrity", the communique said, adding there was only one China in the world and Taiwan was an inalienable part of Chinese territory.

 

In the east African country of Djibouti, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation issued a statement after Chen's decision. It also condemned Chen's actions and reaffirmed that Djibouti will keep supporting the one-China policy, still regarding Taiwan as an inseparable part of China.

 

Chen's decision is "a negative and divisive action," Asser Kapere, chairman of Namibian National Council -- the upper house, said in a letter to China's Ambassador to Namibia, Liang Yinzhu.

 

Kapere said Namibia supports all peaceful efforts aimed at securing the peaceful reunification of China.

 

"We strongly condemn all forms of unilateral separatist and secessionist activities as regards the Taiwan-China question," Kapere said, adding that Chen's decision "will only trigger a serious crisis and destroy peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific Region."

 

The "NUC" was set up in 1990 by the Taiwanese authorities headed by Lee Teng-hui. A total of 14 meetings were held after its establishment. However, no "NUC" meeting has been held since Chen Shui-bian became Taiwan's leader.

 

The "National Unification Guidelines" were issued in 1991, saying that both the Chinese mainland and Taiwan were under the sovereignty of China and that the promotion of the state's reunification should be the common task of all Chinese.

 

The guidelines also outlined a three-phase goal for the realization of China's reunification.

 

(Xinhua News Agency March 11, 2006)