Chen Shui-bian's move very risky: FM
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2006-03-04 09:25

Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing on Friday denounced Taiwan leader Chen Shui-bian for scrapping a policy-making council on unification with the mainland, warning the move is very risky and the scheme will not succeed.

Protesters hold placards during a rally outside the Chung Hwa Travel Service, a Taiwan representative organisation, in Hong Kong February 28,2006, to protest against Taiwan leader Chen Shui-bian's decision to abolish the island's national unification council and its guidelines. Chen announced the decision to terminate the "national unification council" and the "national unification guidelines" after a one-hour meeting with Taiwan's top security agency, the "national security council." The protesters criticized Chen for betraying his 2000 pledge and endangering cross-Straits ties.[newsphoto]

Li made the remarks while attending the opening ceremony of the Fourth Session of the Tenth National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), China's top advisory body, in the Great Hall of the People.

Chen announced on Monday that the "National Unification Council" founded in 1990 shall "cease to function" and the "National Unification Guidelines" shall "cease to apply."

Chinese President Hu Jintao said during a meeting with visiting Swiss Defense Minister Samuel Schmid on Feb. 28 that "it is a grave provocation to the one-China policy universally adhered to by the international community and cross-Straits peace and stability."

Chen's decision is a dangerous step toward "Taiwan independence," Hu said.