Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

BEIJING INTENDS TO USE NON-PEACEFUL MEANS AGAINST TAIWAN: MAC

ROC Central News Agency

2005-03-21 23:30:08

    Taipei, March 21 (CNA) The recent enactment of China's Anti-Secession Law shows that Beijing intends to use non-peaceful means to solve the cross-Taiwan Strait dispute, the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) said Monday.

    In a news release, Taiwan's top China policy formulating agency explained that the law describes abstract and ambiguous situations under which the Beijing authorities are allowed to resort to non-peaceful means against Taiwan, which is tantamount to a "blank check" for attack.

    The move has triggered serious concern from the international community because it threatens the peace and stability of the East Asian region, the council went on.

    The MAC also expressed appreciation for the United States, Japan, the European Union, Canada, Australia and many other countries for their open opposition to the law.

    According to the People's Daily newspaper in China, Article 8 of the Anti- Secession Law states: "If the Taiwan independence secessionist forces should act under any name or by any means to cause the fact of Taiwan's secession from China, or that major incidents entailing Taiwan's secession from China should occur, or that possibilities for a peaceful reunification should be exhausted, the state shall employ non-peaceful means and other necessary measures to protect China's sovereignty and territorial integrity. The State Council and the Central Military Commission shall decide on and execute the non-peaceful means and other necessary measures and report to the National People's Congress Standing Committee."

(By Huang Kwang-chun)

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