Beijing-Taipei rhetoric heats up in 'holy war'

Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian yesterday tried to defuse tensions between his island nation and mainland China, but stuck to his plans to pursue a nationwide referendum some believe is a first step toward demonstrating independence from totalitarian Beijing.

On Wednesday, Beijing called Chen "immoral" and accused him of fanning anti-Beijing sentiment to win votes after newspapers in Taiwan quoted him as saying the March presidential election was a "holy war of the Taiwanese people against the Chinese communists."

TRENDING: Biden's choice: The anatomy of a cover-up

Taiwan passed a controversial bill in November allowing referendums, which Beijing sees as a move toward independence. Beijing has threatened the use of force over the issue of independence.

Chen plans to hold a "peace referendum" alongside the presidential elections, calling on the mainland to dismantle nearly 500 missiles aimed at the island.

"Our greatest aspiration remains to be able to work hand-in-hand with the people on the other side of the strait and, together, obtain the perhaps intangible but most precious [goal of] peace," Chen said in his New Year's address.

Chen, who is seeking a second term, urged mainland leaders to accept the outcome of presidential elections scheduled for March 20.

"Leaders of both Taiwan and China will have an historic opportunity to demonstrate their wisdom in creating a brand new vision for economic co-operation and political reconciliation across the strait," Chen said.

RELATED: China to attack Taipei in 2006?

The United States Wednesday issued a new warning to Chen, criticizing his plan for a referendum, which has infuriated mainland leaders and irked the Bush administration.

The plan drew a rebuke from President Bush as he played host to Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao at the White House last month.

Deputy State Department spokesman Adam Ereli said Washington opposed any unilateral measures by either the mainland or Taiwan that changed the status quo in their relationship, "including this referendum."

"We believe that cross-strait dialogue is the way to resolve these issues, and we continue to make that position known to both parties," he said.