China warns Taiwan on perceived independence move

BEIJING - China blasted Taiwan President Chen Shuibian on Wednesday for a plan to change the constitution, a move Beijing would consider a formal declaration of independence of a self-ruled island it claims as its own.

Chen's ruling Democratic Progressive Party is studying constitutional changes to name the island the "Republic of Taiwan" and redefine its national territory. Party members may introduce legislation in next month.

"We will never tolerate their seeking de jure independence by amending the constitution," Li Weiyi, spokesman for China's policy-making Taiwan Affairs Office, told a regular news conference.

"We will closely watch and be on high alert to new developments," he added.

Li said Chen's move was intended for personal gain amid mounting pressure in Taiwan, where protesters across the island have called for him to step down in recent weeks over allegations of corruption.

The two sides have faced off since China's defeated Nationalist forces fled to Taiwan at the end of the Chinese civil war in 1949.

Taiwan still officially styles itself the Republic of China and claims sovereignty over the Chinese mainland in its constitution.

But Chen's DPP, which ended more than 50 years of Nationalist rule on the island in 2000, has advocated a Taiwan identity separate from China's and has pushed to modify what it sees as an anachronistic constitution.

Beijing has vowed to attack the island if it declares formal independence.

- REUTERS