At the Third Session of the 10th National People’s Congress (NPC) in Beijing on Tuesday, Vice Chairman of the 10th NPC Standing Committee Wang Zhaoguo explained the draft of the Anti-Secession Law.

 

Deputies of Fujian Province, which lies just across the straits from Taiwan Island, responded to the draft law positively, stating that the legislation should have an impact on economic development and exchange.

 

Lu Zhangong, secretary of the Fujian Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), said that the legislation is both necessary and timely, necessitated by increasingly strident Taiwan separatist activities. “It collects the guidelines and policies that have been taken by the central government toward Taiwan in years past and turns them to legislation according to the Chinese people’s will,” he stated.

 

Lu also said that the legislation would encourage cross-Straits exchanges in such areas as economy, education, technology, health, sports, culture and law enforcement. “It shows the greatest sincerity of the central government.”

 

However, he warned, China is prepared to bear even the heaviest losses to maintain territorial integrity, national dignity and the fundamental interests of the people.

 

Fujian Province has the closest connections with Taiwan in terms of geographical location, blood relationship, culture and economy.

 

About 80 percent of Taiwan residents are of Fujian origin. Currently, over 120 associations of Fujian fellows and 130 clan associations are now scattered in 25 counties or cities around Taiwan.

 

Four Taiwan investment zones, two cross-Straits pilot agricultural zones and 35 wharfs for Taiwan ships have been set up. As of the end of 2004, Fujian had approved 8,082 Taiwan-funded enterprises, with actual utilized investment totaling US$10.4 billion.

 

The province now hopes to build a Taiwan Straits West Coast Economic Zone.

 

NPC Deputy Dai Zhongchuan, an associate professor of law at Huaqiao University, said that the Taiwan issue is one left by history, but the fact that Taiwan belongs to China has never changed.

 

“China’s constitution, international laws and treaties lay a solid foundation for the legislation,” Dai pointed out.

 

He believes that the law will gain understanding and support from the international community because the maintenance of territorial integrity through legal means is fundamental for any sovereign state.

 

The residents of both the mainland and Taiwan Province yearn for peace. The increasing exchanges and closer economic ties are effective measures against moves toward “Taiwan independence,” said Xiamen Mayor Zhang Changping.

 

Last year, over 580,000 Taiwan compatriots entered the mainland via Xiamen, with 410,000 passengers taking the direct voyage between Xiamen and the Jinmen Island, 1.5 times the number in 2003. Moreover, many of Taiwan's petrochemical, semiconductor and photoelectron industries are moving to Xiamen.

 

“Many Taiwan compatriots have given the legislation close attention, and they finally understand and support it.”

 

Chen Qingyao, the political commissar of the Chinese Armed Police Fujian Division, stated that the law is a forceful weapon to curb “Taiwan independence” and maintain cross-Straits peace.

 

“The armed police, as an important component of China’s armed forces, shoulder the responsibility of maintaining the motherland's integrity and preventing dissension. We will try to improve our ability in fighting and prepare well for every necessary battle according to the orders of the Central Military Commission,” declared Chen.

 

The Anti-Secession Law is slated to go to the full NPC for voting next Monday.

 

(China.org.cn by staff reporter Tang Fuchun, March 10, 2005)