BEIJING -- China's top advisor Jia Qinglin has warned of the risks and dangers of the Taiwan leader Chen Shui-bian's attempt to push "de jure independence" through so-called "constitutional reform".

The root of tensions between the mainland and Taiwan still existed as did the danger of "Taiwan Independence", said Jia, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), at a meeting with deputies of Taiwan trade unions.

Jia reiterated that peaceful development should be the theme of cross-Straits relations and a common goal for both mainland and Taiwan compatriots.

Jia, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said the cross-Straits trade union symposium has brought labor representatives to Beijing to discuss peaceful development.

The symposium served the fundamental interests of workers and the people of the mainland and Taiwan, Jia said.

Jia warned the Chinese government would never allow anyone to split Taiwan from China by any means.

The symposium marked a new era for cross-Straits exchanges and cooperation in trade unions to protect the right of workers from both sides of the Strait to the peaceful development of relations, Jia said.