Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) lawmakers yesterday proposed to promulgate an "anti-annexation law" in a bid to counter China's intended "anti-secession" legislation.
According to the draft bill, any move that could disturb Taiwan's status quo has to be decided by Taiwan's 23 million people through a vote, DPP Legislator Trong Tsai (蔡同榮) said, and the spirit of anti-annexation must be enshrined in the long-discussed new constitution that President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) has promoted.
"Legislation is not a good way to counter China. But since China is making a move, Taiwan is forced to respond. Before a more efficient way is found, Taiwan should make the whole world understand Taiwan's viewpoint on China's intended annexation through making a law," DPP Legislator Lee Ming-hsien (
Tsai also proposed to work with US congressmen to revise the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA).
"The revised TRA should stipulate that the US will explore all means to help defend Taiwan's sovereign and territorial integrity if Taiwan's status quo is endangered without a legal process of referendum by Taiwan's 23 million people," Tsai said.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) will launch an international publicity drive against China's plan to introduce an anti-secession law targeting Taiwan, ministry spokes-person Michel Lu (呂慶龍) said yesterday.
Lu said the ministry will call the international community's attention to Beijing's move, which he said will severely upset peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.
Lu said the law that Beijing proposed is obviously aimed at building a legal basis for China's plans to invade Taiwan, and he urged the international community to step in to stop the plot against the nation.
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