Beijing yesterday condemned Taiwan leader Chen Shui-bian for dropping "China" from the names of government-run firms and introducing "distorted" history books.

Li Weiyi, spokesman of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, warned that the "flurry of de-sinification activities" was "deliberate political manipulation" and "secessionist moves" that will heighten cross-Straits tensions.

Chen announced on February 8 that the island's authorities will remove the words "China" or "Chinese" from government-run organizations, enterprises and from certain laws and regulations.

Taiwan's post office and several government-run companies formally changed their names on Monday under the order, despite wide criticism and protest from both sides of the Straits.

Chen's stepped-up moves for de-sinification and secessionist activities are aimed at "creating a social climate for de jure independence," Li told a regular press conference.

"The activities are intended for the selfish gain of individuals and a single political party," Li said, adding they will greatly undermine the welfare of Taiwan enterprises and the public.

Li also criticized Taiwan's revision of its high school history textbooks that play down the Nanjing Massacre or neglect it in certain versions.

"Taiwan's young generation should be taught an objective and true history and we resolutely oppose any actions to distort, obliterate or confuse history," Li said.

He also said the mainland had noticed Taiwan prosecutors' indictment against the island's opposition party leader Ma Ying-jeou.

Ma resigned as chairman of the Kuomintang (KMT) on Tuesday after being indicted for diverting government funds to his private account. He also declared that he would run for "president" in the island's 2008 election.

Li stressed that the mainland's polices toward Taiwan will not change following Ma's resignation.

In a related development, a survey showed that rather than plummet, the public support of Ma has increased following his indictment.

The survey, conducted by the United Daily News, a leading newspaper in Taiwan, showed that 61 percent of Taiwan people believe Ma is clean and honest, 5 percentage points higher than November last year.

The prosecutor's office said yesterday that four leading members of Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) will also be investigated for corruption.

It said three investigators will be assigned later this month to probe "vice-president" Annette Lu, "premier" Su Tseng-chang, former Kaohsiung mayor Frank Hsieh and DPP Chairman Yu Shyi-kun.

The four, seen as possible "presidential" candidates, will be investigated for their use of special funds while acting as government officials, prosecutor's office spokesman Chang Wen-cheng said.

Source: China Daily