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Taiwan leader's play of words 'dangerous'
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2006-03-04 12:40
Taiwan leader Chen Shui-bian's recent decision to end the "National Unification Council" and cease the application of its guidelines is merely "word play" and a "dangerous step" toward "Taiwan independence," a Chinese mainland official said here Saturday.
Jiang Enzhu, spokesman for the upcoming NPC session, speaks at a news conference inside the Great Hall of the People in Beijing March 4, 2006. The National People's Congress will start its session on Sunday and conclude it on March 14. [Reuters]
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"It's a dangerous move for overthrowing his own 'five no's' pledges and a dangerous step toward 'Taiwan independence'," said Jiang Enzhu, spokesman for the annual session of China's National People's Congress, while answering a question from Taiwan journalist at a press conference.
"It constitutes a grave provocation of the one-China principle universally accepted by the international community and peace across the Taiwan Straits," he added.
The move of Chen has met strong opposition of the people on both sides of the Taiwan Straits and severely denounced by the international community.
"It's our steadfast will and determination to oppose 'Taiwan independence' secessionist forces and activities, maintain peace across the Taiwan Straits and safeguard China's state sovereignty and territorial integrity," said Jiang.
The spokesman said the mainland will continue to make the utmost effort to maintain and promote peaceful and steady development of cross-Straits relations and strive for peaceful reunification of the motherland.
"But we will never allow anybody to make Taiwan secede from China. The attempt of the 'Taiwan independence' secessionist forces to split Taiwan from China under any name and in any means will never succeed," said Jiang.
Defence budget up 14.7 percent in 2006
China's defence budget for 2006 is expected to hit 283.8 billion yuan (about 35.1 bilion U.S. dollars) , 14.7 percent higher than last year.
NPC, CPPCC agendas for March 4
Saturday's major agendas for the fourth sessions of the 10th National People's Congress (NPC) and of the 10th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) are as follows:
NPC
-- Preparatory meeting to be held for the Fourth Session of the Tenth NPC
-- Presidium of the Fourth Session of the Tenth NPC to hold its first meeting
-- Spokesman for the Fourth Session of the Tenth NPC to hold first press conference
CPPCC
-- Top Chinese leaders to join members of the 10th CPPCC National Committee in panel discussions
-- CPPCC members to hold panel discussions about the report on the work of the Standing Committee of the CPPCC National Committee and the report on the handling of the members' proposals and suggestions over the past year
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