China again warns Taiwan's Chen on independence agenda

China warned Tuesday that Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian will "pay a dear price" if he continues with current pro-independence plans.

The warning came from National People's Congress spokesman Jiang Enzhou at a news conference to announce the agenda for the NPC, which opens Wednesday.

Taiwan and China split amid civil war in 1949. Beijing considers the self-governing island Chinese territory and has threatened military attack if Taiwan tries to formalize its de facto independence.

Chen, who will step down soon after eight years as president, has been …