China says determined to stop Taiwan independence

BEIJING, July 31 (Reuters) China has the ability and the will to stop self-governing Taiwan from declaring independence and is prepared to do so, the country's defence minister was quoted as saying today.

China and Taiwan have faced off since the end of the Chinese civil war in 1949, when Nationalist forces retreated to the island after losing to the Communists.

Beijing has vowed to bring democratic Taiwan under its rule, by force if necessary, and has accused the government in Taipei of playing with fire by pushing the island closer to formal statehood.

''The peaceful development of cross-Strait ties accords with the common wishes of compatriots on both sides,'' Defence Minister Cao Gangchuan was quoted by the semi-official China News Service as telling officials at a reception.

But he added: ''We have the determination, the ability and are prepared to stop Taiwan independence and serious incidents which Taiwan independence may bring''.

''We will staunchly protect national sovereignty and territorial integrity,'' he said at an event to mark the 80th anniversary of the founding of the People's Liberation Army.

But Cao added that China would still make the ''utmost effort'' to ensure peaceful reunification.

Last week China and Taiwan traded barbs over the island's latest failed attempt to join the United Nations.

Beijing called the island's President Chen Shui-bian ''scum'' and Taiwan said China could not face up to the fact of its sovereignty.

Chen's independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party, in power since 2000, is also pursuing a referendum that would allow the island's residents to vote on whether it should pursue UN membership under the name Taiwan.

REUTERS ARB HS1913