Tuesday, July 24, 2007


BEIJING, Jul. 24, 2007 (AP Online delivered by Newstex) -- China on Tuesday branded Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian a 'schemer' after the United Nations rejected Taiwan's bid to join the world body, a state news agency reported.

The Taiwan Work Office of the Communist Party of China's Central Committee and the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, or Cabinet, made the remark in a statement, Xinhua News Agency reported.

Xinhua said 'Taiwan independence activities are doomed to fail.'

The statement said 'Chen Shui-bian is a destroyer of peace and stability' in the Pacific region near Taiwan and China, the China News Service reported.

Taiwan's application was returned by the U.N. Office of Legal Affairs, according to the U.N.'s Chinese-language Web site.

In announcing its rejection, the U.N. cited a 1971 resolution that recognizes the People's Republic of China as the lawful representative to the world body.

Taiwan was expelled from the U.N. in 1971 when its seat _ which it held under the name Republic of China _ was transferred to the Beijing-based government of the People's Republic of China.

The self-ruled island applied on July 19 to join the U.N. as Taiwan _ a departure from 14 previous post-1971 applications to become a member as the Republic of China.

The bid reflected the policies of Chen, who favors making the island's de facto independence permanent.

It was roundly condemned by China, and also opposed by the United States.

Taiwan and China split amid civil war in 1949, and since then have been governed separately.

Newstex ID: AP-0001-18378612


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