Overseas Chinese are continuing to hold symposiums and issue statements blasting Chen Shui-bian's move aimed at "Taiwan independence", while reassuring their support for the Chinese government's political principles of developing cross-Straights relations.

Liang Zuojun, deputy chief of the overseas Chinese association in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, told a recent symposium that Chen Shui-bian's move to cease the function of the "National Unification Council" (NUC) and the application of the "National Unification Guidelines" posed a serious challenge to the great cause of the reunification of China.

Chen Shui-bian's real purpose is to plunge cross-Straights relations again into tension, foster hostilities, undermine the great cause of China's reunification and realize his dream of "Taiwan independence", Liang said.

Chen Shui-bian is moving towards a dead end, Liang warned.

Jin Hui, head of all Japan Chinese federations for the promotion of peaceful reunification of China, said Shui-bian's move to cease the NUC function was a very dangerous step, which runs counter to the will of all Chinese across the world.

Jin said Chen Shui-bian is attempting to split the Taiwan island away from the motherland in a move which has consequently met strong condemnation from Chinese all over the world, as well as from the international community.

Taiwan separatists are doomed to fail in their plot, Jin said.

In a joint statement, Chinese residing in Myanmar accused Chen Shui-bian of accelerating his attempts at "Taiwan independence" with only his personal interest in mind, instead of the interests of Taiwan's 23 million people.

In London, the China Re-unification Society in Britain held a forum to discuss the cross-Straits situation following Chen's declaration. Overseas Chinese and students attending the forum said Chen's actions not only spoiled the peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits and the Asia-Pacific region, but also seriously damaged the immediate interests of the Taiwanese compatriots.

Overseas Chinese communities and Chinese students in the South-west Swedish city of Goteborg also held a forum to condemn Chen's selfish actions, which they said had ignored the wishes and happiness of Taiwan people and had attempted to provoke the separation of nationalities on the island. The forum said Chen was also trying to sabotage the sentiment of compatriotism across the Straits, forcing his idea of "Taiwan Independence" on Taiwanese people.

In Denmark, five overseas Chinese communities, including the Chinese Re-unification Society in Denmark, held a forum in Copenhagen following Chen's move. Representatives attending the discussion said Chen's actions overlooked the strong opposition from peoples of both sides of the Straits and around the world, and branded them a gross provocation towards the One-China Principle which is widely adhered to by the international community.

Chen's actions went totally against the stream of the development of the cross-Straits relations; went against the wishes and wills of the 1.3 billion Chinese and were doomed to failure, the forum in Denmark said.

Overseas Chinese communities and students in Ukraine said in a forum that Chen's actions ignored the tide of history and would surely be spurned by history. They said overseas Chinese in Ukraine would join hands with Taiwanese compatriots and Chinese all over the world to promote the peaceful reunification of China.

The Ecuador Association for Peaceful Unification of China said in a statement that Chen's play on words could by no means shake the will of reunification among the compatriots across the Taiwan Straits. It is their shared desire that cross-Strait relations move forward peacefully, smoothly and in a win-win way.

In a joint statement issued by overseas Chinese organizations in Panama, Chen was accused of undermining the status quo across the Taiwan Straits, generating a crisis of warfare only to serve his own purposes and those of his Democratic Progressive Party.

Chen's move to cease the function of the NUC and the application of the "National Unification Guidelines" was a desperate political gamble, as his administration has been suffering declining support ratings, Zhang Wujiu, chairman of the Brazil Association for Peaceful Unification of China, said, stressing that his secessionist attempt is doomed.

A symposium of overseas Chinese in the Seychelles described Chen as the top troublemaker, affecting peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits.

Chen Xi, head of the Singapore Overseas Chinese Students Association, told a symposium that Chen's move had not only outright shattered his political credibility and personality, but also showed that he was plotting fresh secessionist moves.

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