The Chinese mainland shows utmost sincerity to promote cross-Strait relations but is also ready to stop any dangerous "Taiwan independence" secessionist activities, said a mainland official in Shenyang yesterday.

"We will keep a close eye on the development of the 'referendum on Taiwan joining the United Nations' and we'll prepare for any serious circumstance," said Wang Fuqing, vice director with the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, at the reception for visiting Taiwanese businessmen in northeast China's Liaoning Province.

As President Hu Jintao said when meeting Taiwanese businessmen in April 2006, peace and development shall be the main theme of cross-Strait relations and the goal shared by people from both sides, Wang said.

"But we are very sorry to see that the Taiwan authorities headed by Chen Shui-bian have carried on a series of secessionist activities and made provocations openly, ignoring the real need of Taiwan people and objections from the international community," he said.

Taiwan authorities sent a letter to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon in July, raising an application to join the United Nations.

Meanwhile, Chen has been pushing for a plan to hold a "referendum" in Taiwan on its entry to the United Nations.

(Xinhua News Agency September 22, 2007)