BEIJING, Oct. 13 (Xinhuanet) -- A spokesman with China's central authorities said legitimate interests and rights of Taiwan businesses on China's mainland are well protected and won't be influenced by the mainland's attitude towards Taiwan leader Chen Shui-bian's Oct. 10 speech.

    Zhang Mingqing, spokesman with the Taiwan Affairs Office of theState Council, made the remarks here Wednesday at a press conference.

    "It's our consistent policy to treat the Taiwan compatriots differently from Taiwan authorities and die-hard 'Taiwan independence' separatists," said Zhang. Enditem