BEIJING, April 7 -- Beijing has protested against Taiwan leader Chen Shui-bian's plans to attend Pope John Paul II's funeral.

    China has also expressed strong dissatisfaction with Italy for granting Chen Shui-bian a visa to go to the Vatican. The Foreign Ministry confirmed that China would not send a representative to the funeral.

    The Foreign Ministry says Chen Shui-bian's real intention is to take this opportunity to engage in secessionist activity and create "two Chinas" or "one China and one Taiwan".

    Chen is scheduled to leave Taipei on Thursday for Rome, and stay in the Vatican until after the funeral on Friday.

    (Source: CRIENGLISH.com)