China has hit out at Taiwan’s President Chen Shui-bian after he made a strongly pro-independence speech on Sunday.
Mr Chen said Taiwan should pursue independence, write a new constitution and change its official name from “Republic of China” to Taiwan. China’s Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing said anyone wanting to split Taiwan from the mainland was a “criminal”.
The row came as China opened its annual session of parliament and announced a hike in defence spending.[Full Text]