A Chinese mainland official has lashed out at Taiwan leader Chen Shui-bian's "Taiwan independence" remarks made on Sunday, saying it was another "dangerous" step towards secession.

    Chen said at a gathering Sunday that he wanted independence, a new constitution, development, and new names for local firms that use the word "China" in their title.

    "Chen was undisguisedly preaching secessionist ideas, another dangerous step towards 'Taiwan independence'," a spokesman for the Taiwan Affairs Office of China's State Council said.

    "He has replaced the "four noes" pledge with a "four wants" policy, which shows once again that Chen is a faithless politician," the official said.

    As he took office in 2000, Chen pledged to adhere to "four noes", namely no declaration of Taiwan independence, no incorporation of the "two states" remarks into the constitution, no change of the province's name and no referendum on "Taiwan independence".

    Chen's attempt to seek "Taiwan Independence" through constitutional reform posed a huge threat to peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and to Asia and the Pacific, said the official, adding that Chinese people, including Taiwan compatriots, would firmly oppose such attempts.

    He said the mainland would continue to endeavor to improve cross-Strait relations with the utmost sincerity and effort and would be highly vigilant against any secessionist moves and never allow secessionists to separate Taiwan from China in any name or form.