China today warned blind dissident Chen Guangcheng against indulging in any activities to undermine the country's national interest during his visit to Taiwan, which it considers as a rebel province.
"I have noted relevant report about Chen Guangcheng's arrival in Taiwan," China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying told a media briefing here.
"I want to stress that every Chinese citizen has the obligation to abide by Chinese laws and constitution and do not do anything to undermine national interests," she said.
The 41-year-old lawyer-activist arrived in Taiwan yesterday on a "trip for freedom and human rights".
Chen, who sparked a diplomatic crisis by escaping house arrest and taking refuge in the US embassy in Beijing, was permitted by China to go to New York University (NYU) by granting him and his family passports.
He recently alleged that NYU, where he has been since May last year, is succumbing to pressure from China and not renewing his scholarship.
Though the ties between China and Taiwan are improving in recent years, Beijing jealously guards its one China policy which insists that Taiwan was part of it though it separated from it in 1949.
Reports from Taiwan say one Taiwanese university has expressed interest in inviting the blind activist as a visiting scholar.
Yang Sen-hong, chairman of the Association for China Human Rights of Taiwan which is hosting his high-profile visit, said, "It is a trip for freedom and human rights. It is of special significance when Taiwan is engaging China.
