More than 500 Chinese from abroad, Taiwan province and the mainland gathered in Fujian province this week, to oppose Taiwan authorities' attempt to hold a referendum on UN membership.

A number of events, part of the just-concluded Lantern Festival celebrations, were held from Monday to Thursday in Fuzhou, Quanzhou and Xiamen.

The Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, Fujian provincial government and the mainland-based Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits jointly sponsored the events.

"Taiwan people should bravely rise up and refuse to participate in the 'referendum on UN membership in the name of Taiwan' led by Chen Shui-bian on March 22," Kuo Juen-Tsch, president of Straits Peaceful Reunification Association, said.

"A referendum on 'de jure independence' is too dangerous and will be harmful to Taiwan's development."

Kuo said his association will carry out a number of promotional events in the coming days across the island province.

For example, the association will display advertisements and hold lectures and seminars, explaining and analyzing trends in international and cross-Straits relations.

"My ancestors came from Zhangzhou (in Fujian) more than 200 years ago. My family is now in its 13th generation."

"Fujian and Taiwan are virtually one family, so are Taiwan and the mainland. We eagerly expect early reunification."

He also wished that 2008 could bring about direct mail, transport and trade links across the Taiwan Straits.

"We also hope that our generation can witness the completion of the Fujian-Taiwan Bridge and Fujian-Taiwan Tunnel, leading to another 'new China' under the framework of 'one country, two systems'.

By Hu Meidong and Xie Chuanjiao