In his book entitled "Voice of Taiwan," Lee suggests that Beijing should renounce its vision of a "greater China" and divide the mainland into seven blocs, including Taiwan, Tibet, Mongolia, Xinjiang and northeastern China, the China Times reported.

With greater powers divested from the central government, the blocs would be able to develop on their own, he maintains.

The 336-page book is to be published in both Chinese and Japanese by Yuan-Liou Publishing Co. Wednesday, on the eve of the seventh anniversary of Lee's presidential inauguration.

Shi Hwei-yow, secretary-general of the quasi-official Straits Exchange Foundation which handles relations with Beijing, said Lee did not mean to promote Taiwan's separation from the mainland.

"Rather he hopes that both sides will progress via competition and avoid ideological disputes," Shi said.

Lee, the first Taiwan-born president, rejects the "one country, two systems" autonomy model used to return Hong Kong to Chinese rule in 1997.

Taiwan, which is viewed by Beijing as a renegade province, has demanded democracy on the communist mainland as a precondition for rejoining it. China has threatened to invade Taiwan if it ever declares independence.

Beijing called off rapprochement talks in retaliation against a historic visit by Lee to the United States in 1995, alleging it was part of his efforts to split the island from the "motherland."

In a tit-for-tat move Lee called for a review of Taiwan's investment policy towards China, banning enterprises from investing in Chinese infrastructure projects worth more than 50 million US dollars.

Taiwan and China split in 1949 at the end of a civil war.

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Last updated: 19-May-99