Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao reiterated the Chinese government's stance on the Taiwan issue in Beijing Thursday at a regular press conference.

Liu said China will "do its utmost, with utmost sincerity," to bring about peaceful reunification of the country, by quoting what Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao told US President George W. Bush during their talks on Tuesday.

Wen Jiabao said that China's fundamental policy on the Taiwan issue is "peaceful reunification" and "one country, two systems," according to Liu.

The Chinese premier also said China respects the desire of people in Taiwan for democracy, but China "can absolutely not accept and tolerate" the attempts of the Taiwan authorities to use democracy as an excuse and attempt to resort to a "defensive referendum" to split China.

Maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait is conducive to the interests of the people on both sides of the strait, Wen said, adding that only when "Taiwan independence" is firmly opposed, can peace and stability be maintained.

The mainland of China will not give up its efforts for peaceful reunification of the country as long as there is a glimmer of hope of resolving the issue peacefully, Wen said.

Bush said during his talks with Wen Jiabao that the United States understands China's concern over the Taiwan issue, and that the US government adheres to the "one-China" policy, remains committed to the three Sino-US joint communiques and opposes "Taiwan independence".

The United States does not approve of the recent messages from Taiwan to change its status quo, Bush said, adding that the United States opposes any unilateral attempt to change the status quo of Taiwan.

Liu said the Chinese side appreciates the active stance of the United States on the Taiwan issue.

Liu also stressed China has always opposed the Taiwan Relations Act which is unilaterally set by the US side and runs counter to the three Sino-US joint communiques.

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