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Anti-secession bill gets long applause
15/3/2005 8:32


China's new anti-secession law, passed yesterday by the national legislature in Beijing, was hailed as a "powerful legal guarantee for peaceful national reunification" by lawmakers, government leaders and the general public.
The National People's Congress ratified the 10-article law with 2,896 votes in favor, none against and two abstentions as lawmakers ended their nine-and-a-half-day annual session in the Great Hall of the People.
The law went into effect after President Hu Jintao signed a presidential order later in the morning.
The NPC deputies applauded for nearly a minute following the announcement of the vote total, which was broadcast live nationwide through state television, radio and major news Websites.
Top legislator Wu Bangguo said the overwhelming favorable vote symbolized the "common will and strong resolve" of the entire Chinese people.
The anti-secession law was first put on the NPC's legislative agenda in December partly in response to growing calls for such legislation both from home and abroad.
The law provides for national reunification through peaceful means and the use of non-peaceful means to check Taiwan's secession from China as a last resort.
"The anti-secession law has legalized the policy guidelines of central authorities on Taiwan and gives full expression to China's consistent position on doing the utmost for a peaceful reunification," said Wu, chairman of the NPC Standing Committee.
At a news conference held shortly after the close of the NPC session, Premier Wen Jiabao strongly denied allegations that the measure was a "law of war," calling it a law endorsing peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait instead.
The premier added that the law does not target Taiwan compatriots but aims at opposing and checking secessionist activities.
Though the law provides for "non-peaceful means and other necessary measures" to stop Taiwan's secession under certain circumstances, Wen said, the Chinese government is loathe to see such circumstances occur.
"As long as there is a glimmer of hope for peaceful reunification, we will exert our utmost to make it happen rather than give it up," he stressed.
Throughout the country, members of the general public greeted the passage of the law as a hopeful signal for an early peaceful reunification of their nation.
"The law speaks our wishes from the bottom of our hearts," said Li Xinming, a Beijing taxi driver who learned the news from the radio. "It's necessary to clarify a bottom line for the secessionist forces in Taiwan and let them know we will never compromise on any issue involving national sovereignty or territorial integrity."
The law's enactment reflects the "strategic insight and political wisdom" of the central authorities, said Wang Hao, a student at Beijing University.
"History will remember this solemn and exciting moment," said Liu Zhenze, a resident of Fuzhou, capital of southeast China's Fujian Province, which lies opposite Taiwan.
"The law issues a stern warning to the secessionists in Taiwan that anyone playing with fire will get burned themselves," said the man, who has brothers and sisters on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.
Yeh Hui Te, president of the Shanghai Taiwan Investors Association, stopped work to watch the TV broadcast of the NPC voting. "The zero-opposition result was just what I expected," Yeh said.
"I understand and support this law, which is mainly intended to safeguard peaceful national reunification," said Yeh. "And I think the majority of the Taiwan business people in Shanghai share my opinion."
(Xinhua)





Xinhua