Overseas Chinese, students denounce Chen Shui-bian's scrapping of unification body

Overseas Chinese and students have held symposiums and made speeches in recent days denouncing Taiwan leader Chen Shui-bian's move to cease the function of the "National Unification Council" (NUC) and the application of the "National Unification Guidelines".

The United Chinese Associations in New York and the New York Association for Peaceful Unification of China Friday held a forum to strongly condemn Chen's actions to undermine the status quo across the Taiwan Straits. 25 Chinese associations said in statements that Chen's decision was a dangerous step toward "Taiwan independence", which was firmly opposed by overseas Chinese.

A Switzerland-based friendship association said on Friday in a statement that Chen posed a grave challenge to the mainstream public opinion of the Taiwan people and their realistic interests, to the Chinese people's strong resolve of safeguarding the motherland's reunification and to the international community and world peace by insisting on pushing for "Taiwan independence."

The association called on all Chinese people around the world to hold together and jointly denounce Chen's escalating actions toward "Taiwan independence."

The head and representatives of the overseas Chinese association in Russia Friday conducted a symposium in Moscow, saying China's reunification is the general course of development and conforms to the common aspirations of the people.

They will continue to support the great cause of national reunification, oppose "Taiwan independence" and contribute to China's reunification as early as possible.

The representatives of the overseas Chinese association in Rome, capital of Italy, held a symposium, noting that Chen's move to cease the function of the "National Unification Council" and the application of the "National Unification Guidelines" created tension across the Taiwan Straits and posed a serious threat to peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region.

Overseas Chinese and students in Germany Friday held a symposium in Berlin, condemning that Chen, in defiance of the strong opposition from people inside and outside Taiwan island, moved recklessly to cease the function of the "National Unification Council" and the application of the "National Unification Guidelines."

They said that Chen's move directly impaired the interests of Taiwan people and also threatened peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits and in the Asia-Pacific region. Chen's act has fully exposed his attempt at "Taiwan independence" and his sinister motive and stubborn position on secessionist activities.

Overseas students and scholars in London, Oxford, Cambridge, Birmingham,Manchester and Liverpool said that Chen's provocative actions must be condemned by all countries in the Asia-Pacific region that aspire for peace and development, because it has been widely acknowledged that the win-win situation can only be created by peace across the Taiwan Straits.

Overseas Chinese associations in Portugal, Cuba, Mexico, Peru, Iceland, Costa Rica, the Czech Republic, Benin, Sweden, Brazil, Nepal, the Philippines, Uganda, Singapore, Serbia and Montenegro, Kazakhstan, Guyana, Gabon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Lithuania, Madagascar, Turkey and Thailand also made statements in recent days.

They lashed out at Chen's decision to cease the function of the "National Unification Council" and the application of the "National Unification Guidelines."

The "NUC" was set up in 1990 by the Taiwan authorities headed by Lee Teng-hui. A total of 14 meetings were held after its establishment. However, no "NUC" meeting has been held since Chen Shui-bian became Taiwan leader.

The "National Unification Guidelines" were issued in 1991, saying both the Chinese mainland and Taiwan are under the sovereignty of China and the promotion of the state's reunification should be the common task of all Chinese.

The guidelines also outlined a three-phase goal for the realization of China's reunification.

Source: Xinhua