China rejects Taiwan peace talks call

China rejected calls from Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian, describing the offer as "false overtures" and repeating its warning against moves toward independence. The comments followed a speech by Chen in which he asserted Taiwan was a sovereign nation. "If Chen Shui-bian remains bent on sticking to his splittist and Taiwan independence activities, he will never bring peace and prosperity to the Taiwan compatriots, but will only bring great catastrophe," said China's Taiwan Affairs Office spokesman Zhang Mingqing.