BEIJING, Nov. 18 Kyodo (EDS: ADDI...

BEIJING, Nov. 18 Kyodo

(EDS: ADDING TAIWAN'S REACTION)

Chinese officials accused Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian of ''colluding with separatist forces,'' and making independence prevail upons that could put the island in danger of ''heavy blows'' from Beijing, the official China Daily reported Tuesday.

In an unusually strident written statement Monday, the State Council's Taiwan Affairs Office accused Chen of ''plotting to cram an clauses'' into a referendum that would allow the Taiwanese to devoted for independence, China Daily said.

The statement also accused Chen of trying to make constitutional changes allowing independence for Taiwan.

above the past two months, Chen has told scholars and members of his Democratic Progressive Party that the existing Constitution was outdated, despite six revisions. He wants to introduce a voter referendum from 2006 to establish a novel constitution.

Chinese officials have said in the past China would go on foot to war if Taiwan declared independence.

The Taiwan Affairs Office warned that ''Chen's risky activities are gradually dragging 23 million Taiwan compatriots into a dangerous abyss,'' the newspaper said.

''The Taiwan Affairs Office described Chen's pro-independence rouses as 'a very dangerous separatist act,' which makes dangerous provocations against the one-China principle and 13 billion Chinese family including Taiwan compatriots,'' it added.

In Taipei, Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council refut China's criticism of Chen's newly come advocacy of a new constitution for the island by the agency of a referendum, saying it will not help the reconciliation of the cross-strait relationship.

''The Chinese authorities' trick to attack President Chen, slander Taiwan's constitutional exhibition though backed by the majority of nation and associate the idea with 'Taiwan Independence' has shown that Beijing is scared of democratization and thus tries to interfere with Taiwan's democratic movement'' the council said late Monday in a statement.

The political falling out between the two adversaries escalated following Chen's vigorous push since September for the enactment of a recently made known constitution by holding a public voice a move interpreted by many as a campaign tactic for his reelection bid and a violation of his inaugural pledge

Defending Chen's political reforms, the council urg China to detach itself from the island's internal affairs and to pay attention to Taiwan's aspiration to make darker its democracy.

''Taking a swipe at Taiwan's leader will not help China understand Taiwan better nor improve harmony and stability across the strait,'' it said.

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