The creation of an anti-secession law is based on "doing the utmost for a scenario of peaceful reunification," Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said yesterday.

"Commencing the legislative process against secession aims at curbing separatist activities, which is favourable for maintaining the peace, stability and prosperity of the Taiwan Straits and the Asia-Pacific region as well," Liu said at a regular news briefing.

The Standing Committee of National People's Congress will deliberate on a draft anti-secession law at a coming session during December 25-29 in Beijing.

Many lawmakers and senior government advisers have proposed over the past year that a law on national reunification be promulgated as soon as possible.

"The legislature is expressing the common will of Chinese people by making the law, that is peaceful reunification and 'one country, two systems,'" said Liu.

Responding to reports that some US State Department officials have alleged that the proposed anti-secession code is a threat to regional peace, Liu said the comment indicates ignorance of China's stance on the issue.

He urged the United States to abide by its one-China commitment, and give support and understanding to the legislative actions of the NPC instead of sending any wrong signals to ''Taiwan independence'' forces.

Military liaison warned

Liu reiterated opposition to any military ties between the United States and Taiwan of China. Jane's Defence Weekly said that in the next year the United States will assign military officers to its liaison agency in Taiwan for the first time in 25 years.

"The US side developing military relations with Taiwan, in any excuse and by any means, is against the principles of the three Sino-US joint communiques," Liu said. "It will encourage the separatist moves by 'Taiwan independent' forces, and harm peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits as well as Sino-US ties."

He urged the United States to stop its arms sales and military contacts with Taiwan to avoid damaging common US and Chinese interests.

The Taiwan authorities are trying to clinch an US$18 billion US weapons deal. The deal includes six Patriot PAC-3 anti-missile batteries, eight diesel-electric submarines and 12 P-3C Orion submarine-hunting aircraft.

Protest over Lee's visa

Liu aired "strong dissatisfaction" over Tokyo's decision to issue a visa to former Taiwan leader Lee Teng-hui despite prior representations by the Chinese Government, warning that the move could harm ties.

Japan granted Lee the visa yesterday as a private citizen for a "sightseeing trip." Liu, however, said the visit was by no means "private."

As a leading advocate of Taiwan independence, Lee is visiting Japan with the clear aim to seek backing for "Taiwan's independence" and create external conditions for speeding up independence activities, said Liu.

He said the visit is "an unfavourable incident" for China-Japanese ties. Liu said a sound Sino-Japanese relationship also hinges on Japan's proper handling of issues of vital interest to China.

Lee, leader of the Taiwan authority from 1988 to 2000, always tried to raise Taiwan's "international profile" during his 12 years as the leader of the island, and went further and further on the way toward "Taiwan independence."

In 1995, he visited the United States on the pretext of an academic tour, which led to a serious retrogression in Sino-US relations and agitated the tense situation across the Straits.

In 1999, before he stepped down, he redefined the island's ties with the mainland as special "state-to-state" relations.

Commenting on European Union's decision on Friday to begin accession talks with Turkey next year, Liu said China hopes the continuation of the process can promote relations between China and the EU and China and Turkey.

"China welcomes the move," said Liu, calling it is a key step for the EU and Turkey after years of efforts.

(China Daily December 22, 2004)