(Xinhua)
Updated: 2007-09-26 15:07

BEIJING - China opposes and condemns the claim by the President of Honduras that "Taiwan is an independent sovereign state", said a Chinese mainland official here on Wednesday.

"The remark was a violation against the one-China principle upheld by the international community and the resolution 2758 of the UN General Assembly," said Li Weiyi, spokesman of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council.

He condemned the so-called "Normal Country Resolution" being drafted by the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), which refers to establishing a "Taiwan country", enacting a new "constitution", and "de-sinicizing".

He said China strongly opposes any efforts to split Taiwan from China in any form and by whatever means when commenting on Taiwan leader Chen Shui-bian's UN "referendum" bid.

"We warn the Taiwan authorities not to play with fire, or they will get burnt," Li said.

He also expressed appreciation of US opposition to Taiwan's referendum scheme.

Li said the upcoming 17th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) will discuss and put forward the guidelines, general requirements and main tasks for dealing with Taiwan affairs in consideration of recent cross-Strait situation and developing trend.