Q: In 2005, against the referendum that the Taiwan
authority is preparing to carry out, the Chinese legislature put
forth the Anti-Secession Law. Why did China draw up such a law? Is
it aimed at Taiwan? After adopting this law, will China take
unilateral actions to change the present situation across the
strait?
A: Careful study of the Anti-Secession Law shows that it fully
reflects our consistent peaceful efforts and sincerity to solve the
Taiwan question as well as our determination in opposing "Taiwan
Independence." This law actually turns the principle of "one
country, two systems" that we have held for more than 20 years into
law, hence putting our standpoint against "Taiwan Independence"
into state will. It does not change our principles toward Taiwan,
nor does it change our stance on Taiwan.
We have made unremitting efforts over the years to develop
stronger relations between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait and
promote a peaceful reunification of the mainland and Taiwan. In
recent years, however, the Taiwan authorities have intensified
their "Taiwan independence" activities aimed at separating Taiwan
from China. Among the various types of their escalating
secessionist activities, we should be particularly watchful that
the Taiwan authorities are trying to use so-called constitutional
or legal means through a referendum, or constitutional
reengineering, to back up their secessionist attempt with so-called
legality and change the fact that both the mainland and Taiwan
belong to one and the same China. Facts have shown that the
secessionist activities of "Taiwan independence" forces gravely
threaten China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, seriously
endanger the prospects for a peaceful reunification and severely
undermine the fundamental interests of the Chinese nation. They
have posed a serious threat to peace and stability in the Taiwan
Strait and the Asia-Pacific region as a whole. Formulating this
Anti-Secession Law, therefore, is both necessary and timely. During
the Third Session of the 10th NPC held in March 2005, the
Anti-Secession Law was unanimously adopted, which shows that this
law reflects the will of all 1.3 billion people.
"There is only one China in the world and both the mainland and
Taiwan belong to one and the same China. Sovereignty and
territorial integrity of China should by no means be impinged
upon." This is China's basic standpoint in dealing with the Taiwan
question. The 23 million Taiwan compatriots are our brothers and no
people are hoping to peacefully solve the Taiwan question more
eagerly than us. Even with a glimmer of hope, we will do our best.
Non-peaceful means, as stated in this Law, will be our last resort
if all our efforts for a peaceful reunification prove futile.
China will continue to uphold the principle of "one country, two
systems" for the prospect of peaceful reunification with utmost
sincerity and efforts. China will by no means renounce the use of
force. Such means and measures would be completely targeted against
the "Taiwan independence" forces and foreign interference forces
rather in any way against our Taiwan compatriots. It is the common
will and strong resolve of the Chinese people to safeguard China's
sovereignty and territorial integrity while never allowing the
"Taiwan independence" forces to make Taiwan secede from China under
any name or by any means.