A mainland official yesterday lashed out against the secessionist activities of Taiwan leader Chen Shui-bian and the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).

Li Weiyi, spokesman for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, told a press conference that the real aim of the "referendum" promoted by Chen and the DPP about whether the island should join the United Nations under the name of "Taiwan" is to change the status of Taiwan and split it from China.

"We are monitoring the situation closely," Li said.

"We will not tolerate 'Taiwan Independence', and we will not tolerate the Taiwan secessionists' efforts to split Taiwan from China in any form and by whatever means," Li said.

He also condemned the so-called "normal country resolution" being drafted by the DPP.

"It's a dangerous act by a small number of diehard Taiwan separatists who want to impose their 'Taiwan independence' ideas on all members of the DPP."

The so-called "resolution" refers to establishing a "Taiwan country", enacting a new "constitution", and "de-sinicizing".

It aims to create conditions for the "de jure independence of Taiwan", provoke conflicts within Taiwan society and cause tension across the Taiwan Straits, Li said.

He emphasized that DPP leaders and the small number of diehard secessionists must give up their "Taiwan Independence" attempts and cease separatist activities.

The mainland has always believed that most DPP members do not share the views of the small number of diehard secessionists, Li said.

"We believe most DPP members understand not only Taiwan's history but also the trends in cross-Straits relations and in the world, and understand that "Taiwan Independence" is doomed to fail," Li said.

As soon as the DPP gives up its pro-independence policy and stops secessionist activities, the mainland will respond positively, Li said.

In another development, Li said the mainland had come to the rescue of Taiwan in the oversupply of fruit. It bought 78 million yuan ($10.2 million) worth of fruits from the island province.

Between January 2005 and April this year, the mainland had bought more than 8,700 tons of fruits from Taiwan, Li said.

In August 2005, the mainland scrapped tax on 15 kinds of fruits from Taiwan.

Song Dexing, director general of the department of waterway transportation of the transportation ministry, said the mainland welcomes Taiwan companies to participate in the construction of docks and roads.

He urged the two sides to strengthen cooperation in rescues and salvaging in the Taiwan Straits.

Xinhua contributed to the story

(China Daily 05/31/2007 page3)