The Chinese government has warned Taiwan authorities, led by Chen Shui-bian, to immediately stop separatist moves, like advocating a "referendum," and not to cheat and fool the Taiwanese people.

　　An official with the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council sent out the warnings yesterday in Beijing while commenting on Chen's separatist activity seeking "Taiwan independence" through a referendum on a new "constitution."

　　The official said Taiwan authorities, under the pretext of safeguarding local people's interest, recently united all sorts of "Taiwan independence" separatist forces and carried out separatist activity.

　　They are attempting to prepare a legal basis for future "referenda" on "Taiwan independence," which is a very dangerous move, and an overt challenge to the "one China" principle. It damages mainland-Taiwan relations and is a menace to peace and stability in the Taiwan Straits and the Asia-Pacific area as well as a severe provocation to the 1.3 billion Chinese people, including Taiwan compatriots, the official said.Chen, who has again and again abandoned his promises - no declaration of Taiwan independence, no incorporation of the "two states" remarkssintosits constitution, no changing of the so-called country's name and no referendum on Taiwan independence - during his tenure as leader, has unveiled his true separatist image by these separatist moves, the official said.

　　Chen was fooling Taiwanese compatriots and international opinion by saying that his separatist activity had nothing to do with his promise, but his fraud will not succeed, the official said.The Chinese mainland respects Taiwan compatriots' wish to rule by themselves, but firmly opposes Chen's separatism through a referendum on "constitution" and "independence," the official said.

　　Chen's risky move, completely breaching Taiwan compatriots' fundamental interests, is dragging themsintosa dangerous chasm step by step, he added.

　　There is only one China, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of the inviolable territory of China, the official said, noting the Chinese people and government have a clear and decisive stance over safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity.Anyone attempting to separate Taiwan from China will be given a stinging reply by the 1.3 billion Chinese people, including Taiwan compatriots, he said.