An official of China's Taiwan Affairs Office Wednesday said Chen Shui-bian, leader of the Taiwan authorities, has been creating chaos in Taiwan society and damaging cross-Straits relations during his four years in power.

In the first regular press conference since the March 20 election in Taiwan, Li Weiyi, a spokesman for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, China's cabinet, said Chen is misleading people of Taiwan and has caused serious damage to the cross-Straits ties. What Chen had said and done had "posed a direct threat to peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region," Li said.

Commenting on recent remarks by Chen who said that the mainstream public opinion in Taiwan is protecting Taiwan against China, the spokesman said the outcome of March 20 referendum in Taiwan proved that most people want to see stability and development of relations between the two sides across the Taiwan Straits.

Chen's remarks reflect his real intention to push for "Taiwan independence" and create confrontation between the two sides, the spokesman said.

Li warned that Chen's plan to write a "new constitution" will result in tensions and danger in the area of Taiwan Straits.

He said: "We will never tolerate 'Taiwan Independence', and never allow anyone to split Taiwan from China by any means."

"No one should underestimate the determination and capability of the Chinese government and people to safeguard the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the motherland at any cost."

Chen Shui-bian, leader of the Taiwan authorities, has stated time and again his intention to hold a referendum on writing a new constitution in 2006 and enact the constitution in 2008.