A general of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) of China said on Monday that the Chinese military would by no means tolerate "Taiwan independence" or allow anyone to make Taiwan secede from China by any means.

 

"If such a thing (Taiwan's secession from China) happens, we will effectively perform our glorious mission of safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity in accordance with the will of the motherland and the wishes of the people," said General Guo Boxiong, vice chairman of China's Central Military Commission, at a panel discussion of lawmakers representing the Chinese military.

 

However, Guo added, "We will continue, along with the entire Chinese people, to show our utmost sincerity and make the greatest efforts to safeguard and promote the peaceful and stable development of cross-Straits relations, and strive for the prospects of peaceful reunification."

 

He urged all PLA soldiers and officers to further "heighten sense of responsibility and sense of urgency", and to make all-out efforts to "get well-prepared for military struggle".

 

Chinese lawmakers, or deputies to the National People's Congress (NPC), are in Beijing for their annual session, which opened in the Great Hall of the People on Monday morning.

 

Guo's call came on the heels of the latest "Taiwan independence" remarks of Taiwan leader Chen Shui-bian, who said at a gathering in Taiwan on Sunday that he wanted "Taiwan independence" and a "new constitution".

 

(Xinhua News Agency March 6, 2007)