China on Thursday rebuked the proposal by a few countries on Taiwan's participation in the United Nations specialized agencies, saying it infringed upon its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

"The proposal by Gambia, Nauru and others countries attempts to create 'two Chinas' or 'one China, one Taiwan,' infringes upon China's sovereignty and territorial integrity and intervenes in China's domestic affairs," Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang told a regular press conference here.

"The Chinese government and people firmly oppose it."

Qin said the United Nations and specialized agencies were joined by sovereign states. He added there was only one China in the world, while Taiwan was a part of China.

Hailing the good momentum of the current relations across the Taiwan Strait, he said any move that created two Chinas or one China, one Taiwan would cast shadow on the development.

He urged those countries to abide by the UN charter, not to make obstacles for the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations, and support the Chinese government's efforts on that.

Qin said China paid great attention to the benefits of its 23 million Taiwan compatriots. The issue of Taiwan's participation in international organizations should be solved by Chinese across the Strait via consultation.

"We believe that so long as the two sides of the Strait make common efforts in the spirit of setting up mutual trust and seeking common points while reserving difference, a way can be found."

(China Daily via Xinhua August 29, 2008)