The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, Taipei

Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian dismissed an offer of a peace treaty with China in an interview published Friday, saying it would be like agreeing to "a treaty of surrender".

Speaking to the International Herald Tribune, Chen said China's offer, made by President Hu Jintao in a keynote speech earlier this week, was couched in terms that made it unacceptable.

"It is very clear now that if we were to sign such a peace treaty under the framework of the 'one China' principle, then I think this would mean, for the 23 million people of Taiwan, a treaty of surrender," Chen said. Hu made what he called the "solemn appeal" at the opening of the Communist Party's five-yearly Congress in Beijing on Monday, but insisted independence for the island would never be tolerated. Taiwan and China split in 1949 after a civil war, and while the island has since governed itself, Beijing considers it part of its own territory awaiting reunification.