Taiwan to Declare Independence: China

January 17, 2004

China has accused the Taiwanese president, Chen Shui-bian, of using a planned referendum to prepare for a formal declaration of independence.

The referendum asks voters whether Taiwan should buy better anti-missile weapons if China refuses to pull back missiles aimed at the island, and if Taiwan should talk to China to create a peaceful and stable framework for future relations.

President Chen says it is aimed at preventing China from attacking Taiwan.

But China's Taiwan Affairs Office says the referendum is provocative and will be used to realise independence, which it is resolutely opposed to.

China has threatened war if president Chen uses a referendum as an excuse formally to declare independence.

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