"In seeking his personal 're-election', Chen has put the tangible interests of the Taiwan people at stake. This is indeed very immoral," said Jiang Enzhu at a press conference on the NPC session slated to open here Friday.

Chen's act has stirred up the indignation and condemnation of the 1.3 billion Chinese people including the Taiwan compatriots, said Jiang.

"We understand and respect the Taiwan compatriots' desire for developing democracy, but we firmly oppose Taiwan authorities' pursuit of 'Taiwan Independence' and any splittist activities under the cloak of democracy."

Meanwhile, Jiang reiterated the mainland's consistent stance ofseeking a peaceful reunification based on the principle of "one country, two systems".

"As long as the slightest hope remains, we will spare no efforts to seek a peaceful reunification," he said.

"There is no one else in the world who has a stronger desire than us to realize reunification by peaceful means," he added.

Stating that the mainland has never interfered with elections in Taiwan and also has no interest in the ongoing election in the island province, Jiang expressed the hope that Taiwan's new leaderwould adhere to the One China principle and help facilitate the "peaceful reunification process of the motherland".

"No matter who from which party comes to power after the election, we hope he can accept the One China principle, on which basis the two sides across the Taiwan Strait could hold dialogues and negotiations and realize the three 'direct links'," said Jiang.