BEIJING, Nov. 17 (UPI) -- In an extremely tough warning Monday, China told Taiwanese President Chen Shui-Bian not to commit a "separatist crime" by seeking "Taiwan independence."
In a report carried in China's official Xinhua news agency, the communist giant said the island republic is an "inviolable territory" of China.
"There is only one China, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of the inviolable territory of China," said an official of the Taiwan affairs office of China's cabinet.
The warning was in response to a recent pro-independence move by Chen, who is seeking re-election next year.
"Anyone attempting to separate Taiwan from China will receive severe punishment by the 1.3 billion Chinese people including Taiwan compatriots," Xinhua said quoting the unnamed official.
The official said Chen should immediately stop separatist crimes through advocating a "referendum" and not to cheat and fool the 23 million Taiwanese people.
"The Chinese mainland respects Taiwan compatriots' wish to rule by themselves, but firmly opposes Chen's separatism through a referendum on 'constitution' and 'independence,'" the official said.
