Chinese mainland experts have called for vigilance regarding the possibility that Taiwan authorities, as an election gambit, increase efforts to push "de jure Taiwan independence" in 2007.

"We should not lower our guard. In fact, we should step up preparations for opposing and countering 'Taiwan independence'," said Xu Shiquan, executive vice-president of the National Taiwan Research Society, at a symposium here on Tuesday.

Election of members of Taiwan's "legislature" will be held in 2007. It is also an important year in the "constitutional reform" scheme of Taiwan leader Chen Shui-bian and other forces pushing "Taiwan independence".

Xu said "Taiwan independence" forces may impact relations across the Taiwan Strait for a short period by pushing "de jure Taiwan independence", but fundamentally it is difficult for them to roll back the momentum for peace and stability in cross-Strait relations.

He said cross-Strait relations have developed in the direction of peace and stability over the past year thanks to increasing exchanges in many fields and effective mainland policies which have been welcomed in Taiwan.

"Whether in Taiwan, on the mainland or in the international community, there is no space and no possibility for realizing 'Taiwan independence'", he said.

He said there are both risks and opportunities in cross-Strait relations.

"The mainland should adhere to the policy of pinning its hopes on the Taiwan people, maximize positive factors favoring peace and stability in cross-Strait relations, minimize negative factors and continue to restrain 'Taiwan independence' secessionist activities," he said.

Scores of mainland experts and scholars on the Taiwan issue, including vice-president of the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait Wang Zaixi, attended the year-end symposium of the research society.

Source: Xinhua