Chinese efforts to thwart support of Taiwan backfire

In his letter, Yang quoted Bush's comments after the Wen meeting, in which Bush voiced opposition to President Chen Shui-bian's (陳水扁) decision to hold the referendum as possibly changing the "status quo" in the Strait.

He also quoted in part a subsequent comment by Secretary of State Colin Powell in which he said, "we don't see a need for these referenda." At the time, Powell also said that it was up to Taiwan to decide whether or not to hold a referendum.

"President Bush and former President Clinton have all made it clear that the United States does not support `Taiwan independence,'" Yang claimed.

Yang expressed "grave concern" over the congressional letter, and charged that Chen is using the referendum only for his own political gain.