U.S. President George W. Bush said on Tuesday he opposes the apparent interest of Taiwan's leaders in taking steps toward independence.

U.S. President George W. Bush listens as China's Premier Wen Jiabao (L) makes a point during remarks to the international press in the Oval Office of the White House, December 9, 2003. [Reuters]

Meeting with reporters in the Oval Office after a 40-minute meeting with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, Bush said he had told the premier, ``The United States policy is one China.''

``We oppose any unilateral decision by either China or Taiwan to change the status quo,'' Bush said, ``and the comments and actions made by the leader of Taiwan indicate that he may be willing to make decisions unilaterally, to change the status quo, which we oppose.''

It was the administration's strongest statement to date in opposition to Taiwan's plan to conduct a defensive referendum on March 20.

Bush said his administration sees this as an indirect step toward independence.

Wen said China's goal is to pursue peaceful reunification with Taiwan, ``as long as a glimmer of hope'' exists.

``Stability can only be maintained through unswerving opposition to pro-independence activities,'' Wen said. He said China sought to maintain a system of ``one country, two systems.''

``We will do our utmost to bring about national reunification through peaceful means,'' Wen said.

``The Chinese government respects the desire of people in Taiwan for democracy, but we must point out that the (Taiwanese leaders) are only using democracy as an excuse and attempt to resort to defensive referendums to split Taiwan away from China,'' he said.

``Such separatist activities are what the Chinese side can absolutely not accept.''

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