Mainland says 'independence' factions jeopardizing region's stability, prosperity

A spokesman for the Chinese mainland expressed strong opposition on Wednesday to what he said was an attempt by separatists to disturb Hong Kong Speical Administrative Region's stability and prosperity.

"We resolutely oppose the collusion between the forces of 'Taiwan independence' and 'Hong Kong independence', as they disturb the implementation of the 'one country, two systems' principle in Hong Kong and jeopardize Hong Kong's prosperity and stability," said Ma Xiaoguang, spokesman for the State Council's Taiwan Affairs Office, at a biweekly news briefing.

"This conspiracy runs counter to the common aspirations of the people. It will never succeed."

According to media reports, some members of Taiwan's "legislative yuan" formed an alliance on Monday purportedly to support "calls for democracy" in Hong Kong.

Ma also criticized Taiwan's current Democratic Progressive Party administration for having increasingly stymied cross-Straits communication and cooperation.

In response to concerns that the activities of mainland personnel who are in Taiwan for exchanges were being strictly scrutinized and managed by the DPP administration, Ma said the mainland encouraged and supported cross-Straits people-to-people exchanges and cooperation in various fields.

"Since May 20 last year, the DPP administration has undermined the political foundation for the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations and impeded exchanges and cooperation between compatriots," Ma said.

At the briefing, Ma announced that China's top political adviser, Yu Zhengsheng, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, will take part in the weeklong 9th Straits Forum, starting on June 17 in Fujian province.

Hung Hsiu-chu, chairwoman of the Taiwan-based Kuomintang party, will also attend the event.

"This year marks the 30th anniversary since the two sides broke their isolation and started people-to-people exchanges across the Straits," Ma said, adding that "cross-Straits economic and social integration have become the direction for further cooperation".

According to Ma, more than 8,000 delegates from Taiwan will take part in the forum.

Hung announced on Wednesday that she would resign from all posts in the Kuomintang party at the end of this month. The party's new chairman, Wu Den-yih, was elected on May 20.

Xinhua contributed to this story.