Rice reiterates U.S. opposition to "referendum" on Taiwan's UN membership

BEIJING, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- Visiting United States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice reiterated here Tuesday that the U.S. would adhere to the one-China policy and opposes the proposed "referendum on Taiwan's U.N. membership".

Rice made the remarks in her talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, said a press release from the Chinese Ministry, stressing that the U.S. opposes any unilateral changes across the Straits and believes that the referendum would not be constructive to any side and should not be taken.

Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs Yang Jiechi (R) and visiting U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice meet the media after their talks in Beijing, capital of China, on Feb. 26, 2008.(Xinhua Photo)

Yang said the Taiwan question is a matter of China's sovereignty and territorial integrity and constitutes China's utmost concern.

Yang said that Chen Shui-bian and the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP)led by Chen cling obstinately to "the referendum on UN membership" regardless of the opposition from the international community. He added that the issue has already severely hampered peace and stability across the Straits and in the Asia Pacific region.

He said the Chinese side appreciates the U.S.' and Rice's public statements against the Taiwan authorities' "referendum on U.N. membership", as well as the repeated statements on adherence to the one-China policy, abiding by the three Sino-U.S. joint communiques and opposition to "Taiwan independence".

"We hope the U.S. side would adopt any methods if necessary and make joint efforts with China to combat the secessionist activities for 'Taiwan independence' in an aim to maintain the peace and stability across the Straits and safeguard the mutual strategic interests between the two nations," Yang was quoted as saying.

Rice, briefing the press after the talks, also reiterated what she said in December that the United States "opposes the proposed referendum because we believe that the referendum would not be constructive and would not in fact serve a useful purpose".

Rice arrived here Tuesday morning for a two-day visit to China as Yang's guest.