BEIJING/TAIPEI - Chinese mainland slammed Taiwan "President" Chen Shui-bian's intensified talk of "independence" on Monday, saying anyone who wants the island to split from China would be a "criminal in history".

Chen said on Sunday the island should pursue "independence" and change its official title, the "Republic of China."

"Don't listen to local leaders," Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing told Taiwan reporters in Beijing, "Whoever wants to split away will become a criminal in history."

The "president" advanced a "four wants" policy, possibly an alternative to the "four no's" pledges he made in 2000 not to take steps towards "independence" so long as the mainland did not threaten military force.

He now wants "independence", a new "constitution", development and new names for local companies that use the word "China". 

Chen, plagued by scandals and with just one year of his "presidency" left, lacks the two-thirds "parliamentary" majority needed to call a referendum on changing the "constitution". His Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) is looking to "legislative elections" due at the end of this year to strengthen its hand.

The main opposition Nationalist Party said in a statement that it did not support "independence" and, calling Chen's direction a "disaster for Taiwan", asked the "president" to formulate a clear policy towards the mainland.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao offered on Monday to conditionally resume talks with Taiwan.

"We will continue under the basis of the 'one China' principle ... to seek early resumption of cross-Strait dialogue and negotiations," Wen told parliament in Beijing. "(We) will unite the broad masses of Taiwan compatriots to resolutely oppose Taiwan's de jure independence and any form of splittist activities."

Beijing says reunification with Taiwan is a supreme national goal and rejects any possibility of full independence for the island.