Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

CONDEMNATION BEST RESPONSE TO BEIJING'S LAW: MAINLAND AFFAIRS CHIEF

ROC Central News Agency

2005-03-14 23:02:33

    Taipei, March 14 (CNA) The best way to counter China's enactment of its Anti-Secession Law is to "unite the international society in condemning it bitterly, " Mainland Affairs Council Chairman Joseph Wu said Monday.

    In his first response to the Anti-Secession Law, which provides legal basis for China to take over Taiwan by non-peaceful means, Wu said that "China will bow to the ever-growing condemnation from Taiwan and international society, and will show its remorse in action toward Taiwan."

    A referendum on the country's future is not an option being considered by the government, he added.

    The MAC, however, will review exchanges with China in light of the newly enacted law but will not stop exchanges altogether, according to Wu.

    As to the ruling Democratic Progressive Party's plan to stage a mass anti-Beijing protest March 26, he said "it is the people's spontaneous expression of their opinion and the government won't meddle."

    Asked to comment the opposition Kuomintang's plan to send a delegation on a tour of China later this month, Wu said it is the party's prerogative to decide whether it is wise to visit China amid the public indignation over Beijing's Anti-Secession Law and that the party should be prepared for a public backlash if it goes ahead with its plan.

    He dismissed as "shameless propaganda" Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao's offer earlier in that day for regular direct cross-strait charter flights, saying that Taiwan is interested in direct charter cargo flights but China has not responded to Taiwan's overtures.

    He said Wen's proposal in the wake of the Anti-Secession Law is like giving Taiwan a Band-Aid after flogging it. "We can't accept it for the time being," he added.

(By Maubo Chang)

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