(Xinhua)
Updated: 2007-12-11 20:39

China values the United States' reiterated opposition to Taiwan's referendum on UN membership, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said here Tuesday.

Qin said Taiwan leader Chen Shui-bian stubbornly intensified his secessionist activities including a proposed referendum on UN membership, in defiance of the one-China principle recognized by the international community and by both sides of the Taiwan Straits.

The referendum is planned for March next year.

These activities will seriously threaten peace and stability across the Straits and are likely to be firmly opposed by the world community, Qin said.

Under current situation, Qin said, effectively preventing the referendum will help maintain peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits and serve the common interests of the international community including both China and the United States.

US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Thomas J. Christensen recently expressed US concern over the matter to the Taiwan authorities.

Christensen said the United States opposes the referendum and believes it showed the Taiwan authorities' intention to change the status quo.