Taiwan authorities' bid for a "United Nations membership referendum" threatens the peace of the Asia-Pacific region, Premier Wen Jiabao said yesterday.

The "referendum" will deny the reality that Taiwan and the mainland belong to one China, he said at his Beijing press conference.

It will jeopardize relations across the Strait, harm the fundamental interests of people on both sides, and threaten peace across the Strait and even in the Asia-Pacific region, the premier said.

Wen reiterated that all issues concerning China's sovereignty and territorial integrity should be decided by all Chinese people, including Taiwan compatriots.

"No one could ever succeed in an attempt to separate Taiwan from China and such kind of attempt is doomed to fail," he said.

Admitting that the situation in Taiwan is "in a sensitive stage," the premier said what interests him most is to maintain peace and stability across the Strait and promote common development on both sides.

This should be the mainstream and main chord in growing cross-Strait relations, he said.

On the precondition of one China, the mainland hopes to restore peace talks as soon as possible, the premier said. "In such negotiations, any topics could be put on the table, including such important issues as putting an end to the state of hostility between the two sides."

China's mainland will expand the range and scope of business ties and trade with Taiwan, Wen said.

"We will continue to increase exchanges in economic and trade fields with Taiwan," he said.