China is in firm opposition to the assignment of Taiwan "President of Legislative Yuan" to attend��the informal summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan said in Beijing Thursday.

Kong made the remarks when asked to comment on a report that Taiwan leader Chen Shui-bian has assigned "President of Legislative Yuan" of Taiwan to attend the summit.

The APEC's concerned memorandum of understanding has clear prescripts on Chinese Taipei's representative at the meeting, Kong said, namely, Chinese Taipei can only send its minister in charge of APEC-related economic affairs to attend the meeting. The APEC has already formed its norms on this basis.

To handle related issues in strict accordance with such prescripts and norms constitutes the political basis for Taiwan's participation in APEC activities and the essential pre-condition for smooth progress of APEC activities, said Kong, noting that "China resolutely opposes any participant violating the above-mentioned prescripts and norms."

Kong said Chen Shui-bian obviously harbors his ulterior political attempt by playing tricks on this matter and the parties concerned should handle related affairs properly while fully realizing the severity of this issue.

"China hopes that the Republic of Korea should play its due role as the APEC host." the spokesman said.

Source: Xinhua