The Maldivian government has said it remains committed to China's national unity and seriously concerned about the attempts by Taiwan to hold a so-called referendum on the pretext of seeking independence and joining the United Nations on March 22.

According to Chinese Embassy in Colombo, the Maldivian Foreign Ministry said Tuesday night in a statement that Maldives remains committed to China's national unity and reiterates its full support to the One China Policy.

"The government of Maldives expresses grave concerns about Taiwan's intentions to hold a referendum on March 22, 2008 with a view to attain independence and subsequent membership in the United Nations," said the statement.

The statement added that Maldives deems any unilateral attempts by Taiwan as going against the spirit of the principle of Chinese sovereignty enshrined in UN resolution 2758 of 1971 according the People's Republic of China membership in the United Nations.

(Xinhua News Agency March 19, 2008)