China hits again at Taiwan poll

By Chris Hogg
BBC, Hong Kong

President Chen insists the ballot will go ahead

China has renewed its attack on plans by Taiwan's President Chen Shui-bian to hold the island's first ever referendum next month.

A government spokesman in Beijing warned the poll could provoke confrontation between the two peoples.

But he added that China had no plans to meddle in the presidential poll itself which is being held on the same day.

China considers Taiwan to be part of its territory which should be returned to the mainland.

President Chen has ignored warnings from China and the United States that his referendum will damage the stability of the region.

So these latest comments by a spokesman for the Taiwan Affairs Office are unlikely to deflect him from the task.

Mr Chen plans to ask Taiwan's voters whether more funds should be spent to try to protect them from the threat of attack by China, and whether the government should attempt to restart talks with the leadership in Beijing.

China's spokesman said the exercise would sabotage relations across the Taiwan Straits and endanger peace in the region.

He argued that it conflicted with President Chen's professed desire to set up a framework for peace and stability, adding that it showed this assertion was deceitful.

The question is, how will this play with Taiwan's voters?

During the last presidential election, Beijing's attacks on Mr Chen only boosted support for him.