``Their words and deeds violate international humanitarian principles,'' Foreign Minister Jason Hu said, speaking of Beijing's Communist government. ``they not only cannot be accepted by our 22 million people but also will be condemned and regarded with shame and regret by members of the international community.''

Hu indicated Taipei was particularly incensed by reports that Beijing was obliging foreign countries to seek its blessing when sending emergency relief teams and supplies to Taiwan on the grounds that it was a province under mainland sovereignty.

``In many cases this delayed foreign rescuers in carrying out their relief work in Taiwan,'' Hu toldreporters.

Hu said Beijing's actions, including its thanking of foreign donors for their assistance on behalf of Taiwan's people, had made it impossible for the island to accept Beijing's own offers of humanitarian aid.

``We welcome no assistance that is attached to political motivations and conditions,'' Hu said. ``Although natural disasters hurt our loved ones and our homes, they cannot shake our determination to rebuild our homes and safeguard our dignity.''

The quake, which rocked the island early Tuesday morning, comes at a time of strained relations between Beijing and Taipei, following recent statehood claims by Taiwanese President Lee Teng- Hui.

In early July, Lee stated that relations between the mainlandand Taiwan should be handled on a ``special state-to-state'' basis, which outraged Beijing and provoked three-month propaganda blitz on the island.

Meanwhile, China continued to mobilise its population to assist Taiwan, despite the island's rejection of help from the mainland. The Red CrossSociety of China (RSCS) pledged on Wednesday to provide emergency assistance, including $ 100,000 in relief funds and 500,000 yuan ($ 60,460) worth of relief materials.

The state council, China's cabinet, had also issued an urgent directive on Wednesday asking local government officials to express sympathy and solicitude for Taiwanese on the mainland.

The Red Cross, which was awaiting Taiwan's permission to send three rescue teams consisting of seismologists, surgeons and nurses, said it had not received any word from Taiwan.

``I don't believe the reports are real. We haven't heard from Taiwan. We're still actively seeking donations," a Red Cross spokeswoman said.

Chinese officials declined to comment on Taiwan's refusal of Chinese aid.

Peter Lee, a cross-straits analyst at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, said there could be political reasons behind Taiwan's decision.

"It could be that Taiwan really doesn't need any more medical experts. They've got plenty of their own experts and theinitial stage of rescue has been carried out . But perhaps Taiwan is more careful with how it deals with China since problems ar ose from the two-states theory," Lee said.

Most Taiwanese believe that China's hand of firendship is nothing but a prelude to its show of strength when it tries to get Taiwan to reunify with the mainland. At this vulnerable time for quake-stricken Taiwan, Beijing is ready to extend not only assistance and compassion -- but also a reminder for its unwavering determination fo achieve the reunification goal.

Quake jolts China

BEIJING: An earthquake measuring 5.1 on the Richter Scale jolted northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region last night, an official report said here today.

No damage, injuries or deaths have been reported so far, official Xinhua news agency said.

The quake hit Luntai county in the northwestern part of Xinjiang, the report said. The epicentre was about 100 km North of the county and strong tremor was felt there and the noise of shaking ofdoors and windows could be heard.