Taipei, Feb. 22 (CNA) Independent presidential hopeful James Soong on Tuesday criticized Beijing for issuing a new warning to Taiwan, and said that Taiwan would never sit down at the negotiation table under threat.
Beijing announced a "one China principle" white paper on Monday and warned that it might use force if Taiwan indefinitely refuses to negotiate with Beijing on the reunification issue.
Soong commented on the white paper while speaking to his supporters in Wanli Township, Taipei County.
"I want to use this opportunity to tell the Beijing government and the world that Taiwan is not afraid of suppression and would never change its stand under Beijing's military threat," he said.
Soong stressed that the Republic of China on Taiwan maintains an independent and intact sovereignty, and pointed out that Taiwan wants to maintain peace with mainland China.
He said that Taiwan is not afraid of negotiations, but would never sit down at the negotiation table with fear.
The former Taiwan provincial governor urged the voters to support him because he says he wants to use his life to safeguard Taiwan's freedom and democracy.
The presidential election will be held on March 18. Soong is among the three most popular candidates. The two others are the ruling Kuomintang's Lien Chan and the opposition Democratic Progressive Party's Chen Shui-bian. (By Victor Lai)
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