President Chen Shui-bian raised the political temperature over the weekend by saying he would stage a poll on March 20 next year, the same day as the presidential ballot, in a move that angered Beijing.

But the premier told parliament that Taiwan would not go back on five pledges made by Chen at his 2000 inaugural speech including not to declare independence, change Taiwan's name or promote a referendum to change the status quo.

"We don't want to contradict the 'five nos' commitment of the president by touching on the independence issue in any referendum," Yu told parliament.

The promises were made with the precondition that "China has no intention to use military force against Taiwan," Yu said.

"Basically we need to set different agenda for referendums depending on the extent of the threat China is imposing on us.

"If China launches a military invasion against us, we will then hold a referendum on independence."

Chen, from the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party, said at the weekend that China's deployment of 496 ballistic missiles along its southeastern coast aiming at Taiwan had prompted him to push for a vote to safeguard the country's sovereignty.

Chen argued a referendum law passed last week by parliament allowed him to stage a "defensive" vote on "issues of national security concern" in the event of a foreign threat.

China, which regards Taiwan as part of Chinese territory awaiting reunification, has repeatedly threatened to attack the island should it declare formal independence.

The United States, meanwhile, called on the two rivals to refrain from provocative actions, fearing Chen's move would infuriate Beijing and escalating cross-strait tensions.

US Department of State spokesman Richard Boucher said Monday Washington "would be opposed to any referenda that would change Taiwan's status or move towards independence."

"We oppose any attempt by either side to unilaterally change the status quo in the Taiwan Straits. We also urge both sides to refrain from actions or statements that increase tensions or make dialogue more difficult to achieve," Boucher said during a daily news briefing.

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