An application by Taiwan to join the United Nations has been rejected by the world body, citing its recognition of the Chinese government in Beijing.

Taiwan held China's UN seat under the name "Republic of China" until 1971 when it was expelled from the organisation and the seat was transferred to Beijing's control.

Monday's rejection referred to a 1971 UN resolution that recognises the People's Republic of China as China's lawful representative.

The resolution follows the so-called "one-china" policy, that recognises China and Taiwan as belonging to the same national entity.

Reacting to the UN decision, David Wang, a spokesman for Taiwan's foreign ministry, condemned what he called the "political reasons" for rejecting the bid.

"The 1971 resolution should be reviewed, as it fails to address the question of the right of representation and participation by the people of Taiwan," he said.

Last week Chen Shui-bian, the president of Taiwan, submitted a formal application for Taiwan to rejoin the UN under its own name.

Taiwan has previously made 14 applications to rejoin the UN, all under the "Republic of China" name.

Name-dropping

Taiwan continues to be formally known as the Republic of China, although recently Chen has increased the use of the name Taiwan as a way of solidifying the island's separate political status.

Earlier this year China hit out at Chen's efforts to drop the name "China" or "Chinese" from several state-owned Taiwan firms.

The move was also criticised by several opposition figures in Taiwan itself where relations with the mainland are a hotly debated issue.

Chen has announced plans to hold a referendum on Taiwan's UN membership later this year to back up his bid to join the organisation.

On Tuesday David Lee, Chen's presidential spokesman, said the UN's latest rejection would not derail those plans.

"Entering the UN is the mainstream opinion in Taiwan," Lee said. "The referendum will enable us to have our voice heard in the world."

Taiwan split from mainland China at the end of the civil war in 1949, although Beijing continues to claim the island as part of its territory.

Beijing has firmly opposed Taiwan's bid to join the UN, saying it is a step toward formalising the island's de facto independence.

In 2005 the mainland government passed a law threatening the use of force if Taiwan ever declared it was formally breaking off from the mainland.