Relations between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan, still quite strained at present, might further worsen, said Vice President Zhu Jiamu of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) Tuesday in the northeastern China city of Dalian.

Zhu made the remark at a seminar on the relations across the Taiwan Straits, which was jointly held by the All-China Research Society of Taiwan, All-China Federation of Taiwan Compatriots and CASS Institute of Taiwan Studies.

“The disputable result of the March 20 election of Taiwan leaders has led to an unprecedented serious split in the Taiwan society,” said Zhu.

Chen Shui-bian, with an aim of pursuing a “Taiwan independence” policy and winning the election, held the "March 20 Referendum" targeting the mainland, he said.

It is more serious that Chen and Lee Teng-hui proposed the “Taiwan independence timetable” for the planned process of “referendum”, “constitution making” and final establishment of an independent country, he said.

“All these have inevitably led to the instability cross the Taiwan Straits, and aroused high attention from various circles at home and overseas,” he said.

The general developing trend of cross-Straits relations has not changed, with economic, trade and cultural exchanges and mutual understanding deepening, Zhu said, pointing out most Taiwan compatriots seek peace, stability and economic development.

Zhu mentioned the statement issued by the Taiwan Work Office under the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council on May 17.

The statement says that the mainland will never compromise on the one-China principle, never give up the effort for peace talks, never change the sincerity of seeking peace and development with Taiwan compatriots, never waver over its resolution to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and never tolerate the “Taiwan independence”.

The statement fully demonstrated the mainland’s sincerity to promote cross-Straits relations as well as the firm resolution to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity, Zhu said.

(Xinhua News Agency August 3, 2004)