United Nations: Criticising Taipei's upcoming referendum, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao warned that any attempt by "separatists" to use democracy as a "cover to split Taiwan away" will not be tolerated.

Addressing a joint press conference after meeting with UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, Wen said China "understood the aspirations of the people of Taiwan for democracy".

"However, the essence of the problem is that the separatist forces within Taiwan attempt to use democracy only as a cover to split Taiwan away from China and we will never tolerate that," he said yesterday (Dec 7, 2003).

Taiwanese would be asked whether to formally demand China remove hundreds of missiles aimed at them in a referendum scheduled for March 20. But China considers the move by Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian as a veiled move towards independence.

The Chinese leader said his country advocates "One China, Two system" principle to settle the issue and would continue to pursue peaceful settlement "so long as there is a glimmer of hope".

Calling their conversation "very constructive and stimulating", Annan also stressed on solving the Taiwan issue peacefully.

On the effect of the referendum on the political climate in the region, Annan said, "all differences will be settled politically".

PTI