Taiwan Defends Independence Plan

Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian on Wednesday defended his plans to hold a "defensive referendum" on the China missile threat — a vote that has drawn sharp U.S. criticism.

"A defensive referendum is for avoiding war and to help keep the Taiwanese people free of fear," Chen said about the poll planned for March 20. "It is also for preserving the status quo."

The president has said the referendum would ask China to remove hundreds of missiles that are aimed at Taiwan.

Chen's comments came after U.S. President George W. Bush sent a strong message to Taiwan after meeting with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on Tuesday in Washington.

When asked if he wanted Chen to cancel the March 20 referendum, Bush didn't directly answer the question. But the president said Washington opposes "any unilateral decision by either China or Taiwan to change the status quo."

Bush also said he opposes "comments and actions made by the leader of Taiwan" that indicate that Chen "may be willing to make decisions unilaterally to change the status quo."

Taiwan — just 100 miles off the mainland's coast — has had loose ties with China throughout Chinese history. The island was a Japanese colony from 1895 to the end of World War II, and the Communist government has never ruled the island since rising to power in 1949.

But Beijing considers Taiwan to be a piece of China that should never be allowed to break away permanently. Chinese leaders have repeatedly warned they're ready to go to war if the Taiwanese reject eventual unification.

Chen made his latest remarks while meeting with U.S. Congressman Dan Burton, an Indiana Republican and a longtime supporter of Taiwan.

The Taiwanese president emphasized that he didn't plan to hold a vote on the thorny independence-unification issue.

"Taiwan is a sovereign country and as Taiwan's president, my duty is to protect the country's sovereignty, security and respect," Chen said.