Russia Monday strongly condemned the Taiwan authority's
declaration to hold a "referendum on UN membership in the name of
Taiwan" on March 22, saying it poses a grave problem for the
world.
The decision of the Taiwan authority led by Chen Shui-bian to
hold the "referendum", despite strong objections from the Chinese
central government and the world community, will pose a severe
threat to peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits and to the
Asian-Pacific region, said Russian Deputy Foreign Minister
Alexander Losyukov.
"It will make international situation more complicated," the
senior diplomat said when he met with Chinese Ambassador Liu
Guchang in Moscow, expressing Russia's grave concern over the
issue.
The "referendum on UN membership" is another step of the
island's secessionist activity that seeks the so-called "Taiwan
independence" and is a dangerous political game that will have
severe consequences, diplomatic sources quoted him as saying.
Such a move by the Taiwan authority will bring no good to Taiwan
but isolation and damage to its development, Losyukov said, noting
the consequence could be destructive.
Russia holds an unswerving and clear stance on the Taiwan issue.
It maintains that Taiwan is an inalienable part of the Chinese
territory and the government of the People's Republic of China is
the sole legitimate government representing the whole China,
Losyukov said.
Russia firmly opposes Taiwan's membership in any international
organizations that consist of sovereign states, firmly opposes
Taiwan's so-called "membership in the United Nations" in any name
and firmly opposes "Taiwan independence" activities in any form, he
said.
Russia will continue to work along with China and the
international community to prevent the risky activities of the
Taiwan authority, the deputy foreign minister said.
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(Xinhua News Agency February 5, 2008)