Taiwanese president urged to back reunification

The chief executive of Hong Kong, Tung Chee Hwa, has called on the Taiwanese President, Chen Shui-bian, to accept the principle of 'One China'.

The official Chinese news agency Xinhua quoted Mr Tung as saying that he hoped the new Taiwanese leader -- who was inaugurated on Saturday -- would accept the principle and enable peaceful reunification to be achieved at an early date.

The authorities in Beijing have criticised the president's inaugural speech, saying it lacked sincerity in his desire for reconciliation.

China said Mr Chen had been evasive on the 'One China' principle, by which Beijing claims Taiwan as its own territory. Mr Chen, who came to power as head of the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party, said he would not declare independence unless China threatened a military attack.

He also pledged not to change the constitution, which contains guidelines on reunification .

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service