Premier: Taiwan's "UN membership referendum" will cause tension

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao answers questions on a press conference after the closing ceremony of the First Session of the 11th National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, March 18, 2008. The annual NPC session closed on Tuesday. (Xinhua Photo)

BEIJING, March 18  -- Taiwan authorities' attempt on "UN membership referendum" will cause tension across the Taiwan Straits, said Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao here Tuesday.

The "referendum" will deny the reality that Taiwan and the mainland belong to one China, he said at a press conference after China's parliament ended its first annual full session.

It will jeopardize relations across the Straits, harm the fundamental interests of people on both sides, and threat peace across the Straits and even in the Asia-Pacific region, he said.

Premier Wen reiterated that all issues concerning China's sovereignty and territorial integrity should be decided by all Chinese people, including Taiwan compatriots.

"No one could ever succeed in the attempt to separate Taiwan from China and such kind of attempts is doomed to fail," he said.

Admitting that the situation in Taiwan is "in a sensitive stage," the Premier said what interests him most is to maintain peace and stability across the Straits and promote common development on both sides.

This should be the mainstream and main chord in growing cross-Straits relations, he said.

On the precondition of one China, the mainland hopes to restore peace talks as soon as possible, the Premier said, "In such negotiations, whatever topics could be put on the table, including such important issues as putting an end to the state of hostility between the two sides."