Zhang Mingqing, spokesman with the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, invites questions from reporters at a news conference in Beijing November 26, 2003. Zhang said Beijing will respond with tougher action if Taipei passes a law allowing the island to hold a referendum, creating a legal basis for formal Taiwan independence. The warning comes as Taiwan's "legislative yuan,'' or the top legislature, is meeting to work on the passage of the referendum law. [Xinhua]
 
 
 

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