BEIJING (AFP) — Beijing dismissed Tuesday a bill introduced in the US Congress that backs Taiwan's entry into the United Nations, reiterating its long-held view that the island territory is part of China.
"As everyone knows, there is only one China in the world and Taiwan is an inseparable part of China," foreign ministry Liu Jianchao told journalists when asked about the bill.
The bill was introduced on Thursday at the House Foreign Affairs Committee by 18 Republican legislators and one Democrat, congressional records showed.
"The government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government of all of China. This is universally recognised by the international community, including the United States and United Nation ... resolutions," Liu said.
The congressional move came after the chief US diplomatic representative in Taiwan reiterated Washington's official opposition to President Chen Shui-bian's apparent determination to push ahead with a referendum on UN membership for the island under the name "Taiwan."
The Bush administration has tried to discourage Chen's effort, which has has touched a raw nerve with China, which considers it a provocative step towards independence.
Taiwan, under its official name the Republic of China, lost its UN seat to China in 1971.
Its efforts to rejoin using its official title have been repeatedly blocked by Beijing, one of the five veto-wielding members of the global body.
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