BEIJING, May 25 (Xinhuanet) -- Chen Shui-bian's rhetoric speech on May 20 failed to cover up his attempt for "Taiwan Independence".

    Chen's old trick was back again and the truth could not be disguised though he was skilled in the play of words, the commentary said.

    Whether he accepts the one-China principle is the key to show whether Chen has the sincerity to improve relations across the Taiwan Straits or whether he sticks to "Taiwan Independence", the commentary said.

    Although he did not use the term of "one country on each side",Chen Shui-bian's May 20 speech slid over the one-China principle and brimmed with the concept of "Taiwan Independence," it said.

    Chen did not mention the time frame for writing a new "constitution" in 2006 and the referendum leading to "Taiwan Independence" but, instead, he used ambiguous words, like his "personal proposal" and "consensus has yet to be reached", to describe his stances on whether the sovereignty, territory and "the subject of unification/independence" be included in the "constitutional re-engineering", thus leaving room for going in for "Taiwan independence" through referendum on making a new constitution, the People's Daily said.

    In his speech, Chen claimed that he kept his word during the past four years and will do so in the next four years.

    Chen promised not to declare Taiwan independence, incorporate the "two states" remarks into its constitution, change the so-called country's name or to hold a referendum on Taiwan independence four years ago when he took office.

    However, what people saw in the past four years was the opposite, the commentary said.

    Not what Chen said but what he will do counts since he has losthis credit, the commentary noted.

    For the Chinese people there will be nothing more crucial and sacred than safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity of their own country, the commentary said.

    "We will offer utmost sincerity and make utmost efforts to realize the peaceful reunification of the motherland," the commentary said. "But we will also smash the plot for 'Taiwan Independence' at any cost." Enditem

(People Daily)