Some 180 scholars and celebrities from Taiwan legal circles have issued a statement calling on people to refuse to vote in the upcoming "referendum" plotted by the Taiwan authorities and pro-independence forces.   

The statement says at present, trade across the Taiwan Straits has grown dramatically. And no signs show that Taiwan is under serious threats from the mainland.

It says the "referendum" slated for March 20th is nothing but waste people's money.

The legal experts say the Taiwan authorities disregard people's interests and justice and take winning the election as their only real purpose.

(CRI February 29, 2004)