At a forum sponsored by the West Africa Council for the Promotion of Peaceful National Reunification, the representatives of overseas Chinese in Lagos and Chinese companies said that Chen's remarks revealed his stubborn secessionist stance.

T. K. Yeung, representative of the chairman of the council, said Chen's remarks represented his policy in the last year of his tenure, and he is now going farther on the road of seeking "Taiwan independence."

He said the "four wants" raised by Chen marked another dangerous step toward "Taiwan independence."

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

The words ran contrary to his pledge when he took office in 2000 that he would 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."

Jacob Wood, vice-chairman of the All African Council for the Promotion of Peaceful National Reunification, said Chen's words were in defiance of the Chinese mainland and would create tension in the cross-Straits relations.

He said all the Chinese people in Africa oppose Chen's attempts to seek "Taiwan independence" and will make efforts to promote the great cause of China's reunification.

Business people from Taiwan and Hong Kong regions stated at the forum that they will make their contribution to the implementation of the principle of "peaceful reunification and one country, two systems."