Lawmakers in Taiwan yesterday passed a proposal that gives the legislature the power to screen potential referendum issues that might involve changes to the constitution.

　　The proposal was written by the opposition, which holds a majority in the legislature and opposes independence for the province.

　　Under the new law, the legislature can block referendums on issues involving the constitution, including sovereignty issues.The lawmakers yesterday soundly rejected controversial versions of a broader referendum bill that placed no restrictions on holding votes on the touchy sovereignty issues.

　　The island's jittery stock market closed 2 percent lower amid fears the vote on the referendum proposal would provoke China's mainland, dealers said.

　　No immediate response was issued by the Chinese government last night.

　　However, on Wednesday, Zhang Mingqing, spokesman for China's Taiwan Affairs Office, warned that the Chinese government would not tolerate continued attempts by Taiwan leader Chen Shui-bian toward independence and any attempt to split China would bring disaster to the people of Taiwan.

　　"We will not sit by and do nothing faced with provocative activities aimed at splitting the motherland," Zhang said.But if Taiwan authorities attempted to create a legal basis for Taiwan independence by the use of referendum, "we will make strong reactions," said Zhang.