Beijing has warned that Taipei could seriously disturb peace in the region and pay a heavy price if it holds a "referendum on UN membership in the name of Taiwan" on Mar 22.

The decision of the Taiwan authorities, led by Chen Shui-bian, to hold the "referendum" is a dangerous step in its attempts to change the status quo that the Chinese mainland and Taiwan are part of one China, a statement issued on Saturday said.

It's a referendum on the "de jure independence" of Taiwan in a disguised form, said the statement issued by the Taiwan Work Office of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council.