Legislators unite against new law

Some angry Taiwan Solidarity Union members yesterday launch a 24-hour hunger strike in front of the Legislative Yuan to protest the passage of China's ''anti-secession'' law. Their headbands read ``China invades Taiwan.`` PHOTO: SEAN CHAO, TAIPEI TIMES

The Legislative Yuan is poised to pass a second resolution to voice the nation's opposition to China's "anti-secession" law, which was passed by China's rubber stamp National People's Congress (NPC) yesterday.

Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng (王金平) is scheduled to call a cross-party negotiation today to discuss the matter.

The legislature passed a more mildly-toned resolution on March 5 before the law was passed. At that time, lawmakers reached a consensus during cross-party talks that it would be necessary to pass a second legislative resolution after the law was enacted.

To vent their anger over the legislation, the Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU) launched a 24-hour relay hunger strike at 4pm yesterday and a candlelight vigil at 8pm.

Chanting "opposing invasion, safeguard Taiwan" and "China no, Taiwan yes," about 20 TSU lawmakers and party members wearing muzzles and headbands burned China's national flag before starting the peaceful sit-in.

Earlier yesterday morning, the TSU caucus urged President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) to launch a "defensive referendum" in tandem with the election for members of the National Assembly, scheduled for May 14.

The TSU caucus also called on the lawmaking body to pass the special budget and special bill of the arms procurement plan to safeguard Taiwan's territory and sovereignty. A fundraising campaign can be held to fund the arms project if necessary, they said.

The TSU caucus also requested the lawmaking body pass counter-legislation presented by legislative caucuses, including the TSU's "anti-annexation law," which will soon be changed to be called the "anti-invasion peace law," and the "anti-China's invasion law" proposed by the Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) Mainstream Alliance (主流聯盟) yesterday.

To prevent the nation from being "unified" by China via the legislation, the TSU caucus also proposed to "immediately freeze" cross-strait exchanges and dialogue channels.

The DPP caucus yesterday also denounced the legislation and said that Taiwanese people will resist China's invasion efforts.

"History will in the end show that Chinese leaders such as Chinese President Hu Jintao (胡錦濤) and Premier Wen Jiabao (溫家寶) are dictators and that they should be held responsible for hampering cross-strait peace and stability," said DPP caucus whip Lai Ching-teh (賴清德).

Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) caucus whip Chen Chieh (陳杰) said that he felt "sorry" and "angry" about the legislation. He called on the leaders of both sides to extend goodwill gestures and conduct bilateral talks.