Conditions clarified for non-peaceful means against secession
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2005-03-08 10:20

China would use non-peaceful means and other necessary measures in the event that the "Taiwan independence" forces should act to cause the fact of Taiwan's secession from China, said a senior lawmaker Tuesday.

Wang Zhaoguo, vice-chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, explains the draft Anti-Secession Law to the deputies of the third session of the 10th National People's Congress in the Great Hall of the People March 8, 2005. [Xinhua]

Under those circumstances, "the state shall employ non-peacefulmeans and other necessary measures to protect China's sovereignty and territorial integrity," Wang told parliament when he made explanations on the draft Anti-Secession Law.

The Taiwan question is one that is left over from China's civilwar of the late 1904s. China has said resolving the Taiwan question and accomplishing China's complete reunification is one of the three historic tasks of the Communist Party of China and the country.

Over the years China has hoped to develop stronger relations between the two sides of the Taiwan Straits and promote a peacefulreunification of the motherland.

In recent years, however, the Taiwan authorities have intensified their "Taiwan independence" activities aimed at separating Taiwan from China.

"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 should prove futile," Wang said.

He stressed that China has "consistently stood for reunifying the country through peaceful means...No one is more desirous of achieving a peaceful reunification than we are."

"So 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 said.

But Wang stressed no sovereign state can tolerate secession andevery sovereign state has the right to use necessary means to defend its sovereign and territorial integrity.

He promised that China shall exert its utmost to protect Taiwancivilians and foreign nationals in Taiwan should non-peaceful means be used.

"The draft legislation clearly provides that in the event of employing and executing non-peaceful means and other necessary measures, the state shall exert its utmost to protect the lives, property and other legitimate rights and interests of Taiwan civilians and foreign nationals in Taiwan, and to minimize losses," he said.

"At the same time, the state shall protect the rights and interests of the Taiwan compatriots in other parts of China in accordance with law."