The Taiwan authority leader's secret fund case should be resolved by the Taiwan people themselves, Chinese spokesman Li Weiyi said Wednesday.

Li Weiyi, spokesman for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, made the remarks in response to a local journalist's question about the Chinese mainland's attitude towards the case and the Taiwan political situation.

Taiwan prosecutors have found evidence to indict Taiwan authority leader Chen Shui-bian on charges of graft and forgery of documents in connection with the secret fund.

"We've reiterated that the issue should be resolved by the Taiwan people themselves," Li said at the regular press conference.

"We should continue to join hands with Taiwan compatriots to deepen exchanges and cooperation across the Taiwan Straits and promote peaceful and stable development of cross-strait relations," he said.

"At the same time we should stay vigilant and firmly oppose and contain Taiwan separatist activities," Li added. 

"We'll not permit anyone to separate Taiwan from China in any form and will continue to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity, guarantee the fundamental interests of the Chinese nation and maintain peace and stability of the Taiwan Straits and the Asia-Pacific region," he said.

(Xinhua News Agency November 16, 2006)