(China Daily/Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-02-04 07:14

Beijing has warned that Taipei could seriously disturb peace in the region and pay a heavy price if it holds a "referendum on UN membership in the name of Taiwan" on Mar 22.

The decision of the Taiwan authorities, led by Chen Shui-bian, to hold the "referendum" is a dangerous step in its attempts to change the status quo that the Chinese mainland and Taiwan are part of one China, a statement issued on Saturday said.

It's a referendum on the "de jure independence" of Taiwan in a disguised form, said the statement issued by the Taiwan Work Office of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council.

The strongly worded statement was Beijing's first official reaction to Taipei's announcement on Friday that it would go ahead with the referendum despite the opposition from the international community, including the US.

Chen, whose ruling Democratic Progressive Party was thrashed in last month's elections, has cooked up shows of "independence" ahead of the "presidential" elections, which too are scheduled for Mar 22.

The impact on cross-Taiwan Straits relations will certainly be serious if Chen goes ahead with the "referendum", the statement said. It will seriously harm the fundamental interests of compatriots on both sides and seriously imperil peace across the Straits.

The Chinese mainland and Taiwan belong to one China, the statement reiterated. Any issue involving China's sovereignty and territorial integrity has to be decided by all the 1.3 billion people of the country, including Taiwan compatriots.

"We are paying close attention to the developments of the 'referendum' issue. If the authorities, led by Chen Shui-bian, stubbornly court danger, they will certainly have to pay a heavy price," the statement said.

Conflicts and disputes between the two sides of the Straits could be solved through peaceful and equal-level consultations, the statement said.