TSU promotes anti-annexation bill as ideal solution

The pro-independence Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU) is planning to present a draft anti-annexation bill to the legislature in response to Beijing's proposed "anti-secession" law, TSU legislative whip Lo Chih-ming (羅志明) said yesterday.

Given the National People's Congress, China's rubber-stamp parliament, is scheduled to screen the proposed law, which is believed to target Taiwan, Lo said that his party has spelled-out a five-article draft bill on the that would protect Taiwan from annexation.

The draft defines the two sides of the Taiwan Strait as two separate sovereign nations and that the territories under Taiwan's jurisdiction include Taiwan proper, Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu, the Dongsha Islands, the Spratly Islands, Green Island and Orchid Island, Lo said.

The draft bill also stipulates that any changes to Taiwan's status quo and other matters related to the country's sovereignty and future must be subject to the consent of the people of Taiwan demonstrated through peaceful means.

Taiwan never accept any decision on its future that is made through non-peaceful means, including economic sanctions, an embargo, unilateral legislation or intervention in Taiwan's internal affairs, the draft says.

Both the president and the legislature would be authorized to initiate a referendum on measures to be taken by the government should the country face the threat of annexation, invasion or intimidation, it says.