Hong Kong "Ta Kung Pao" published a commentary on November 20, which pointed out that the Chinese mainland's officials in charge of Taiwan affairs have delivered a series of talks on the recent situation on the Island over the past few days.

Following the November 17 talks by an official with the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, Wang Daohan, president of the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS), delivered talks to the media on November 18.

In his address made at the "Seminar on Cross-Strait Relations" held in Beijing that same day, Wang Zaixi, vice-minister of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, all voiced strong condemnations of Chen Shui-bian and Taiwan authorities for their recent intensified "Taiwan independence" activities by pushing for "referendum" and "referendum legislation", pointing out that they are pushing the Taiwan Strait situation to a dangerous verge, and issuing a serious warning that "Taiwan independence" is a bottom line.

The commentary held that the strong attack launched by the Chinese mainland against Chen Shui-bian was rarely seen in recent years, it is also the mainland's most severely wording warning to Chen Shui-bian since he took office.

People have noticed that the mainland's scholars have, in the past two days, held symposiums, forums or delivered speeches on the current complicated situation in the Island. They are deeply concerned about Taiwan authorities' "urgent independence" action and the grave consequences it may bring about, and call on Chen Shui-bian to immediately stop his "independence" activities.

The commentary said that recently Chen Shui-bian and Taiwan authorities have intensified pushing for "referendum legislation", so as to create a legal basis for their future implementation of "Taiwan independence plebiscite", this is a serious step taken toward "Taiwan independence"; Taiwan opposition parties have made big concession on this issue by discarding their original stance in an attempt thereby to win over voters. The situation in the Island is changeable, and the clamor for 'Taiwan independence" is rife.

Chen Shui-bian tries to deceive the islanders and international opinions under the signboard of "popular will" and "democracy", pushes for "referendum legislation", quickens "Taiwan independence" steps, makes wanton challenges to the Chinese mainland and the 1.3 billion Chinese people, thus aggravating the tense situation in the Taiwan Straits. Facts have once again indicated that Chen Shui-bian is the trouble-maker in cross-strait relations and an unstable factor for the Asia-Pacific region.

The commentary pointed out that "Taiwan independence" is the bottom line for the mainland, once Taiwan crosses over this bottom line, the Chinese mainland would surely give it a head-on blow. In this sense, "Taiwan independence" timetable is also the timetable for the Chinese mainland to thoroughly solve the Taiwan issue. It should be noted that the makers of this timetable are precisely Chen Shui-bian and the forces for "Taiwan independence" themselves, the mainland is forced to cope with them.

The mainland's recent warning is serious, Taiwan authorities must not misinterpret it as "the same old stuff", and is imply a casual talk, still less should they mislead the Taiwan general public and describe the mainland's warning as a mere "intimidation", saying that "the mainland dare not really use force" and that "even if it uses force, the United States would come to defend Taiwan", etc. This is extremely dangerous.

The commentary remarked that the Chinese people cherish greater hope than anyone else in the world to settle the Taiwan issue by peaceful means, but when the road of peace is blocked completely by Chen Shui-bian and Taiwan independence" forces and no other way out is left, and when Taiwan is separated from the motherland under any names, the Chinese leaders and the 1.3 billion Chinese people are left no route of retreat, they will be forced to take all possible drastic measures, including the use of force to safeguard State sovereignty and territorial integrity and accomplish the great cause of China's reunification. This is irresistible by any forces inside and outside the Island.

The article pointed out that the day when Taiwan authorities engage in "Taiwan independence to establish a state", or when they create theoretical or factual "Taiwan independence" is the time when Taiwan goes to war and to disasters. It is believed that all Chinese, including the 23 million Taiwan compatriots as well as Chinese nationals at home and abroad do not want to see such a consequence. Apparently, Chen Shui-bian's act of impatiently pushing for "Taiwan independence" for the interest of his party and himself will seriously damage the environment for Taiwan's stability and its economic and social development, and harm the fundamental interests of Taiwan people. At the same time it will undermine peace in the Taiwan Straits and even lead to war; provoke confrontation and conflict between China and the United States, endanger the security and stability in the Asia-Pacific region and impair the fundamental interests of the Chinese people and the Chinese nation.

We believe that the overwhelming majority of Taiwan compatriots will surely be able to see through Chen Shui-bian's separatist plot, and resist his "Taiwan independence" rampant activities, so that his "Taiwan independence" attempt cannot succeed.

(Xinhua News Agency November 24, 2003)