China enacts historic "anti-secession" law
{{date|March 15, 2005}}
[[Image:Flag of China.png|180px|right|Historic "anti-secession" law passed by National People's Congress in Beijing, China]]
By a vote of 2896-0 (with two abstentions), the [[w:National People's Congress|National People's Congress]] of the [[w:People's Republic of China|People's Republic of China]] has passed an [[w:Anti-Secession Law of the People's Republic of China|"anti-secession" law]] designed to thwart [[w:Taiwan independence|Taiwan independence]]. Chinese President [[w:Hu Jintao|Hu Jintao]] quickly signed a presidential order to bring the law into effect.

The law provides a legal basis for China to use force, or "nonpeaceful means" as the Chinese government has phrased it, against Taiwan, should [[w:Chinese reunification|reunification]] efforts fail. 

Chinese premier Wen Jiabao stressed that the legislation is aimed at achieving peace in the Taiwan Straits. 

Speaking at a press conference following the law's passage, Wen stated, "This law is meant to strengthen and promote cross-straits relations. This law is for peaceful reunification. It is not targeted against the people of Taiwan, nor is it a war bill."

"This law is to contain and oppose Taiwan separatist forces. Only by containing and opposing Taiwan separatist forces can the Taiwan Straits have peace," he added. 

The vote was broadcast live on state-controlled television and radio. The Chinese [[w:Xinhua|Xinhua]] news agency has taken the unusual step of setting up a special section on its Internet site to explain the law and its ramifications from the Chinese perspective.

Chinese officials describe PRC policy as being committed to peace to the maximum extent possible, while acknowledging limits to peaceful negotiation. A Xinhua headline from the days leading up to the law's passage declares, "China Pursues Peace, But Not at Any Price." 

Wang Zhaoguo of the National People's Congress previously stated on March 8, "Using non-peaceful means to stop secession in defense of our sovereignty and territorial integrity would be our last resort, when all our efforts for a peaceful reunification prove futile." Added Wang, "No one is more desirous of achieving a peaceful reunification than we are."

Taiwanese politicians reacted with strongly-worded "anti-invasion" legislation, and vowed to call a one-million strong rally in opposition to the new law. 

The timing of the legislation comes at a delicate moment for [[w:US Secretary of State|U.S. Secretary of State]] [[w:Condoleezza Rice|Condoleezza Rice]], who is making her first trip to China in a few days.

"We do view the adoption of the anti-secession law as something that is unfortunate and not helpful to encouraging peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait," said [[w:White House|White House]] spokesman [[w:Scott McClellan|Scott McClellan]].

== Related news ==
* [[Wikisource:Anti-Secession Law|Full text of the Anti-Secession Law on Wikisource]]

*{{Wikinews|title=Taiwanese political parties propose "anti-invasion" laws
|date=March 15, 2005}}

*{{Wikinews|title=China declares "the state shall employ nonpeaceful means"
|date=March 8, 2005}}

*{{Wikinews|title=China plans anti-secession law for Taiwan
|date=March 6, 2005}}

==Sources==
{{wikipediapar|Anti-Secession Law of the People's Republic of China}}
*{{source|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-03/15/content_2698332.htm
|title=Special Report: China enacts Anti-Secession Law
|author=
|pub=Xinhua
|date=March 15, 2005}}

*{{source|url=http://www9.sbs.com.au/radio/index.php?page=wv&newsID=107250
|title=CHINA TAIWAN TENSIONS ESCALATE
|author=World View
|pub=SBS Radio
|date=March 15, 2005}}

*{{source|url=http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2005/s1323543.htm
|title=US concerned that China's anti-secession law impedes Taiwan diplomacy
|author=John Shovelan
|pub=ABC Online
|date=March 15, 2005}}

*{{source|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-03/14/content_2698296.htm
|title=Historic law enacted with popular support
|author=
|pub=Xinhua
|date=March 14, 2005}}

*{{source|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-03/14/content_2694180.htm
|title=Full text of Anti-Secession Law
|author=
|pub=Xinhua
|date=March 14, 2005}}

*{{source|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-03/14/content_2694156.htm
|title=Presidential order issued to promulgate Anti-Secession Law
|author=
|pub=Xinhua
|date=March 14, 2005}}

*{{source|url=http://www.china.org.cn/english/2005/Mar/122122.htm
|title=China Pursues Peace, But Not at Any Price|author=
|pub=Xinhua
|date=March 8, 2005}}

{{archive}}
[[Category:China]]
[[Category:Taiwan]]
[[Category:Politics and conflicts]]
[[Category:Published]]
[[Category:Hu Jintao]]

[[es:China podría usar la fuerza para evitar independencia de Taiwán]]
[[pl:Chiny przyjmują prawo "antysecesyjne"]]
[[pt:Lei permite que China use a força para evitar independência de Taiwan]]
Historic "anti-secession" law passed by National People's Congress in Beijing, China
By a vote of 2896-0 (with two abstentions), the National People's Congress of the People's Republic of China has passed an "anti-secession" law designed to thwart Taiwan independence. Chinese President Hu Jintao quickly signed a presidential order to bring the law into effect.

The law provides a legal basis for China to use force, or "nonpeaceful means" as the Chinese government has phrased it, against Taiwan, should reunification efforts fail. 

Chinese premier Wen Jiabao stressed that the legislation is aimed at achieving peace in the Taiwan Straits. 

Speaking at a press conference following the law's passage, Wen stated, "This law is meant to strengthen and promote cross-straits relations. This law is for peaceful reunification. It is not targeted against the people of Taiwan, nor is it a war bill."

"This law is to contain and oppose Taiwan separatist forces. Only by containing and opposing Taiwan separatist forces can the Taiwan Straits have peace," he added. 

The vote was broadcast live on state-controlled television and radio. The Chinese Xinhua news agency has taken the unusual step of setting up a special section on its Internet site to explain the law and its ramifications from the Chinese perspective.

Chinese officials describe PRC policy as being committed to peace to the maximum extent possible, while acknowledging limits to peaceful negotiation. A Xinhua headline from the days leading up to the law's passage declares, "China Pursues Peace, But Not at Any Price." 

Wang Zhaoguo of the National People's Congress previously stated on March 8, "Using non-peaceful means to stop secession in defense of our sovereignty and territorial integrity would be our last resort, when all our efforts for a peaceful reunification prove futile." Added Wang, "No one is more desirous of achieving a peaceful reunification than we are."

Taiwanese politicians reacted with strongly-worded "anti-invasion" legislation, and vowed to call a one-million strong rally in opposition to the new law. 

The timing of the legislation comes at a delicate moment for U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who is making her first trip to China in a few days.

"We do view the adoption of the anti-secession law as something that is unfortunate and not helpful to encouraging peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait," said White House spokesman Scott McClellan.

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*


es:China podría usar la fuerza para evitar independencia de Taiwán
pl:Chiny przyjmują prawo "antysecesyjne"
Lei permite que China use a força para evitar independência de Taiwan
China Taiwan Politics and conflicts Published Hu Jintao