BEIJING, JULY 17-- Remarks by a Chinese general that China could consider using nuclear weapons if attacked by the United States in a conflict over Taiwan were his personal views, but Beijing will never allow Taiwan to become independent, China's Foreign Ministry said.

　　"We wi ll firmly abide by the principles of peaceful reunification and one country two systems, and we will express the deepest sincerity and exert the greatest efforts to realize a peaceful reunification of China," the Xinhua news agency quoted a ministry spokesman as saying late Friday.

　　But, the spokesman added: "We will never tolerate 'Taiwan Independence', neither will we allow anybody with any means to separate Taiwan from the motherland."

　　The absolute majority of Chinese people, living in China and overseas, supports Beijing's policy of pursuing a peaceful reunion of China, and using whatever means to reject separation of Taiwan from China. In March, China's legislature passed an anti-secession law.

　　The British Financial Times reported on Friday that Zhu Chenghu, a general in the People's Liberation Army, said China would have no option but to go nuclear in the event of an attack over Taiwan.

　　General Zhu had told reporters that he was expressing his own views and did not anticipate a conflict with Washington, it said.

　　Nevertheless, a U.S. State Department spokesman called the remarks irresponsible.

　　Although the United States only recognizes one China, and admits Taiwan is part of China, Washington has been arming Taiwan under its Taiwan Relations Act, which is widely considered a move seriously hurting Chinese feelings.

　　The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman did not explicitly say that Zhu's comments conflicted with official policy.

　　Zhu is dean of China's University of National Defense.

　　"Zhu had repeatedly emphasized that he would express personal views on the issues that the reporters are interested in, before they started discussions," the Foreign Ministry spokesman said.

　　He said he hoped the United States would "join efforts with China to maintain the peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits."

　　"We firmly believe it is in the interests of both China and the United States, as well as benefits the peace, stability and development of the Asia Pacific region and the whole world, to oppose Taiwan Independence and maintain the peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits," he was quoted as saying.

　　Meanwhile, the commander of the Guangdong Military District of the People's Liberation Army, General Liu Zhenwu, departed China on Saturday at the head of a six-member delegation for a visit to the United States at the invitation of the US Pacific Command.

　　(Source: )