HONG KONG, Aug. 6 (Xinhuanet) -- The Hong Kong edition of Tuesday's China Daily carried a commentary condemning Taiwan leader Chen Shui-bian's remarks Aug. 3 as against the internationally acknowledged one-China principle.

　　The English language newspaper pointed out that Chen Shui-bian's remarks, though welcomed by Taiwan's separatists as another version of his predecessor Lee Teng-hui's "state-to-state" theory,were slammed by Taiwan's main opposition parties as well as experts and people on both sides of the Straits.

　　According to the paper, it was irresponsible and outright defiance to all Chinese people, including the Taiwan compatriots, and against the internationally acknowledged one-China principle.

　　"It will seriously sabotage the cross-Straits relations and peace in the Asia-Pacific region," the paper noted.

　　On Aug. 3, Chen denied in his speech Taiwan was part of China, preaching that the two sides of the Straits were two equal sovereign states, or "Each side is a country". He also called for legislation on a referendum to decide the future of the island in an effort to split China.

　　Chen's remarks further disclosed his determination to lead Taiwan on a road towards "independence", China Daily held.

　　Since the "Taiwan road" preached by Chen is against the fundamental interests of the whole of China, in particular the people in Taiwan, it is doomed to be a dead end which would only affect the economy of Taiwan, harm the fundamental interests of Taiwan residents and lead its 23 million people into the abyss of disaster instead of stability and prosperity, the newspaper said. Enditem