Taiwan President Lee Teng-hui yesterday blamed Beijing for the ongoing impasse in relations with China and said Taipei's policy would remain based around maintaining the island's security. Addressing the first meeting of the National Unification Council, a presidential advisory panel, since Taiwan's historic March 23 presidential election, Mr Lee denied Beijing's accusations implying that his Government had abandoned its stated goal of seeking reunification. 'Today, I stress once again that seeking China's unification is the responsibility of our history-making era,' Mr Lee told the council. Alleged abuses of human rights in mainland China and Beijing's suppression of opposing views were largely responsible for the animosity people in Taiwan had towards the mainland, he said. 'No matter whether dealing with internal problems, Hong Kong problems or even international problems, to avoid a major internal change the Chinese communist authorities are accustomed . . . to repressing different opinions,' he said. 'But only satisfying the people's needs, ensuring protection of their basic human rights and seeking national prosperity can really ensure long-lasting stability.' Founded in 1992 as the President's highest advisory body on mainland affairs, the council is made up of leading politicians, scholars and administration officials. Opposition party figures were invited to take part in the council's activities. But only representatives from the pro-unification New Party showed up, including the body's vice-chairman, Hsu Li-nung . The pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party refused to take part. According to Mr Hsu, Taipei's policy towards Hong Kong after the territory's handover to Beijing next year was 'frequently discussed' at the meeting. 'In principle, a common point that everyone agreed upon is that Hong Kong should play the role of a bridge between both sides,' Mr Hsu said. Council members also agreed that after the June 30 handover, Taiwan's representative offices in Hong Kong 'shouldn't vanish' and must continue their activities, he said. Mr Lee said Beijing and Taipei should co-operate to ensure the continued prosperity of Hong Kong and Macau, as well as promote democracy in the two territories. Mr Lee vented his anger against mainland China for threats, military exercises and a months-long propaganda campaign which was directed against him in the lead-up to the presidential election. However, Mr Lee repeated his offer to make a 'journey of peace' to China for visits with leaders there, and urged the mainland to seek reunification on the basis of the current reality of political separation across the Taiwan Strait.