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Anti-secession law 'won't harm' Straits ties
By Xie Zheng (China Daily)
Updated: 2005-03-03 01:37
China has branded allegations that its proposed anti-secession law will
damage cross-Straits relations as "groundless."
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| "Everybody longs for peace and stability, but at present the
biggest threat to peace and stability in our region comes from Taiwan's
independence forces, so this (proposed) law aims to contain
pro-independence activities in Taiwan", Wu Jianmin
said. | Wu Jianmin, a spokesman for China's top
advisory body, said the proposed law is designed "partially to promote
cross-Straits relations and the prospect of a peaceful reunification."
"You have not seen the (proposed) law. How can you say it will undermine
cross-Straits relations?" Wu demanded of reporters at a press conference on the
eve of the third session of the 10th National Committee of the Chinese People's
Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) in Beijing.
Chinese lawmakers, legal experts and CPPCC members are reported to have been
calling for the drafting of an anti-secession law since 2001 but details have
yet to be released to the public.
"It (the proposed law) will help efforts to safeguard China's sovereignty and
territorial integrity. It will oppose Taiwan's secession from China," he said.
Wu stressed the planned law is aimed at maintaining peace and stability in
the Taiwan Straits and is meant to check Taiwanese "independence moves," which
are "a threat to peace."
"Everybody longs for peace and stability, but at present the biggest threat
to peace and stability in our region comes from Taiwan 'independence' forces, so
this (proposed) law aims to contain pro-'independence' activities in Taiwan,"
claimed Wu, who also repeated recent remarks by Jia Qinglin, chairman of the
CPPCC National Committee, to commemorate the 10th anniversary of then-president
Jiang Zemin's speech on Taiwan issues made on January 30, 1995.
According to Jia, the planned anti-secession law will be in compliance with
the fundamental interests of the entire Chinese nation.
The draft law was submitted for its first deliberation to the 13th session of
the Standing Committee of the 10th People's National Congress (NPC) held late
December.
It is expected to undergo a final review and be passed at the full session of
the NPC which starts on Saturday thus providing another legal base for China's
national reunification cause.
China's constitution has a constitutional basis for formulating the law
against secession.
Top Chinese legislator Wu Bangguo, chairman of the NPC Standnig Comittee, in
December described the enactment of the law as "extremely necessary" and "very
timely."
Personnel changes
Turning to the recent decision by the CPPCC National Committee to induct 80
new members, including nine from Hong Kong and two from Macao, Wu said that
having more people from the regions would be conducive to the strengthening of
communications between the two special administrative regions and the central
government.
Asked whether the CPPCC National Committee would undergo any major personnel
changes at the upcoming session, Wu said any such moves must go through certain
democratic procedures, and therefore can't be predicted before the formal start
of the session today.
Wu said according to the proposals and suggestions received from CPPCC
members, several vital topics are at the top of their agenda this year:
To begin building a harmonious society and ensure social stability;
To strengthen macro-control and ensure stable economic development;
To renew efforts to increase support for the "three rurals," agriculture,
rural economy and rural inhabitants and reduce rich-poor and regional gaps;
To change the growth pattern and balance regional development; and
To deepen reforms of the social security system and State-owned enterprises,
and guide the private economy forward.
The main functions of the CPPCC, a patriotic united front organization of the
Chinese people, are to conduct political consultation, exercise democratic
supervision and take part in the discussions and the handling of State affairs.
(China Daily 03/03/2005 page1)
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