China Says Won't Sit by if Taiwan Turmoil Worsens [View All]

[54anickel]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&u=nm/taiwan_election_china_dc

BEIJING (Reuters) - China, in its strongest statement yet on the political crisis convulsing Taiwan since its controversial election, warned on Friday it would not stand idly by if the situation on the island spirals out of control.

Analysts said the strong words were aimed at preventing Taiwan independence backers from pushing their agenda after Saturday's narrow re-election of President Chen Shui-bian in a contest immediately rejected by the opposition.

"We will not sit by watching should the post-election situation in Taiwan get out of control, leading to social turmoil, endangering the lives and property of our flesh-and-blood brothers and affecting stability across the Taiwan strait," Beijing's policy-making Taiwan Affairs Office said in a statement.

It reiterated that China was paying close attention to events on the island, which has been racked by protests and political paralysis since Chen, who leans toward Taiwan independence, won re-election by the thinnest of margins on Saturday. The opposition swiftly contested the result and demanded a recount.

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