Reunification Only Option, China Tells Taiwan On Poll-Eve

ONE OF China's top negotiators on Taiwan today warned the island that China would not allow week-end presidential elections to lead towards independence.

If Taiwan becomes independent, we cannot talk about peaceful reunification, Tang Shubei, vice-chairman of the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits, told a Press conference.

We advocate reunification and we cannot let the issue drag on forever, said Tang, reiterating China's insistence that despite 50 years of separate rule Taiwan is a rebel province that must be brought back under mainland rule.

While Tang refrained from making the outright threats of war that have peppered China's official media in the run-up to the polls, his tone was uncompromising.

US for peaceful solution: US Defence Secretary William Cohen today urged China to halt its threats to use force against Taiwan as the island heads towards Presidential elections. Answering Premier Zhu Rongji's threat that the Chinese people would use all their blood to defend the dignity of the union, Cohen said both sides should settle the row peacefully. He reminded Beijing the US is obliged to provide for Taiwan's defence.