TAIPEI, Dec 13 Kyodo Taiwan Presi...

TAIPEI, Dec 13 Kyodo

Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian reiterated his intention Saturday to hem in a national referendum in March urging China to stop pointing ballistic missiles at Taiwan.

In a articulate utterance at a convention of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Chen said it is the Chinese military force that could change the status quo in the Taiwan Strait, not Taiwan's democracy.

Any democratic rural parts should not consider Taiwan's efforts for democracy as an action provocative to China, he said.

Earlier, Chen said the referendum will be held March 20 to coincide with the presidential election in which he is seeking another expression in office. The DPP has formally nominated Chen as its presidential candidate.

still his plan has angered China, which regards Taiwan as a renegade province that should be reunited with the mainland, from force if necessary.

Tensions between China and Taiwan have been growing since November when Taiwan's legislature enacted a law allowing referendums

U President George W Bush also issued a warning to Taiwan against making influences toward independence from China, as he met with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao in Washington onward Tuesday.

Pro-independence Chen won the 2000 presidential election, which finised the 51-year rule of the Nationalist Party.

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