China will take ‘measures’ against Taiwan independence

“(We) will definitely not swallow the bitter fruit of ‘Taiwan independence’,” said Yang Yi, spokesman of the Taiwan Affairs Office.

“If the ‘Taiwan independence secessionist forces’ insist on their own way ... we will take necessary measures to safeguard our state sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

Yang told a regular press conference that China would work hard for a peaceful resolution of the matter but would never compromise.

Chinese President Hu Jintao called for a peace agreement with Taiwan at the Communist Party’s five-yearly Congress this month, but his remarks were rebuffed by his Taiwanese counterpart Chen Shui-bian.

Chen insisted Taiwan “is an independent, sovereign country; Taiwan is not part of China, nor is Taiwan a local government of the People’s Republic of China.”

Taiwan and China split in 1949 after a civil war, and while the island has since governed itself, Beijing considers it part of its own territory awaiting reunification.

Chen’s drive for a referendum next year on launching a fresh bid for United Nations membership using the name Taiwan has touched a raw nerve with China, which considers the move a provocative step towards independence.

But Chen argued Monday that the planned referendum was not a move towards full independence but a rejection of reunification with China.

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