Taipei - Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou on Thursday condemned the mobbing of Chinese envoy Chen Yun-lin, telling the Taiwan public that his efforts toward reconciliation with China is not selling out Taiwan to Beijing.

"Assembly and demonstrations must be legal," Ma said at a news conference and, referring to the head of the opposition DPP, added, "The Democratic Progressive Party chairwoman promised to abide by the law, but what happened at the Regent Hotel yesterday is regrettable."

Ma denied the DPP's accusation that he was betraying Taiwan's interests to China.

"Our policy is no unification, no independence, no occupation," Ma said. "On defending our country's sovereignty, I have not made an inch of sacrifice."

Ma condemned the DPP's barricading of Chen inside Taipei's Regent Hotel for six hours from Wednesday night until Thursday morning.

Hundreds of DPP members surrounded the building to prevent Chen and his delegation from leaving the hotel, where they had attended a banquet.

Ma warned the DPP not to make more violence during his meeting with Chen, which he moved forward from Thursday afternoon to 11 am (0300 GMT) because street protests in the late afternoon would affect students leaving schools near the Taipei Guest House, where the meeting is to take place. (dpa)