after island's policy change Beijing, Feb 28, SPA -- China called on the United States onTuesday to take steps to oppose any Taiwanese moves towardformal independence after Taiwan's president abolished anagency meant to work toward uniting the self-ruled islandand the communist mainland, AP reported. The appeal by the Chinese Foreign Ministry came after thegovernment denounced the decision by Taiwanese PresidentChen Shui-bian, accusing him of pursuing formalindependence for the island, which Beijing claims as itsown territory. Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao called on Washington to"get a clear understanding" of Chen's "secessionistactivities." "We would like to urge the American side to ... takeconcrete actions to oppose secession activities of Taiwanindependence," Liu said at a news briefing. He said that would help "maintain peace and stability inthe Sino-U.S. relationship and the peace and stability ofthe Taiwan Strait." China and Taiwan split amid civil war in 1949, but Beijingclaims the democratic island across the Taiwan Strait aspart of its territory and has threatened to attack if itmoves toward formal independence.--SPA 11 29 Local Time 08 29 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/335197