Taiwan’s President Chen Shui-bian has called for a referendum on the island's future in a series of defiant comments which risk further alienating China which claims sovereignty over the island.
The surprise statement ran in contrast to an earlier pledge that he would not push for a plebiscite on whether Taiwan should declare independence or be reunified with China during his four-year tenure.
"Taiwan's future and destiny can only be decided by the 23 million people living on the island," Chen said in a teleconference with the pro-independence overseas Taiwanese association in Tokyo.
"But how to make the decision when the time comes? The answer is what (we) have sought after -- referendum," he told the pro-independence group.
He also stressed Taiwan's statehood and independent sovereignty, saying that "each side (of the Taiwan Strait) is a country".
"Taiwan can not be bullied, dwarfed, marginalised or regionalised. Taiwan is not part of another country, nor is it a regional government or a province."
Chen stopped short of mentioning independence however and did not outline a timeframe for the referendum.
The remarks followed a recent controversial statement from Chen that Taiwan would "walk down our own road, our Taiwan road" if Beijing remained hostile to resolving cross-strait disputes.
Chen's comments on Saturday came on the heels of a fresh threat by China this week that it was ready to take the island by force if necessary. Beijing warned any attempt to push for Taiwanese independence was doomed to failure.
Taiwan has been separated from the mainland since a civil war in 1949 but Beijing considers the island part of its territory to be reunified.
Chen, who assumed chairmanship of the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) last month, said a referendum was a basic human right which could not be negated.
"I sincerely urge and encourage the people here to seriously consider the importance (of the referendum) and the need for legislation for it."
Chen also reiterated a rejection of the "one China" principle under which Beijing is seeking reunify with Taiwan.
The "one country, two systems" formula cannot be accepted by people in Taiwan because the island "does not want to become the second Hong Kong or Macau", he said.
The one country, two systems formula was adopted in Hong Kong and Macau after the two territories reverted to Chinese rule in 1997 and 1999 respectively. It gives them a degree of autonomy from Beijing.
He also stressed the DPP's official policy on Taiwan's future, which he described as "the supreme guideline in dealing with cross-straits issues".
The policy stipulates that any altering of Taiwan's status quo, under which the island styles itself as the Republic of China and denies any connection with the People's Republic of China, must be decided through a referendum by all Taiwanese residents.
However it also says there is no need to declare independence for Taiwan, which already enjoys independent sovereignty.
Chen said on Tuesday Taiwan would maintain the status quo without declaring independence provided Beijing renounced the possibility of using force.
Opposition leaders immediately lashed out Saturday at Chen's referendum and pro-independence comments.
The pro-unification Kuomintang, or nationalist party, chairman Lien Chan said Chen's speech reflected his stance for Taiwan independence and further increased concern about the issue among the public.
And the chairman of the pro-unification People First Party, James Soong, said Chen had lost his credibility as the nation's leader, claiming he had broken his pledge not to hold a referendum.
Howver DPP legislator Wang Tuoh later Saturday attempted to downplay Chen's comments.
The China Times Express quoted Wang as saying that Chen had no intention of pushing for Taiwan's formal independence and the premier had only reiterated the party's policy.
AFP