China yesterday rejected a US appeal to reconsider the "anti-secession" law.
"We oppose these irresponsible remarks on this law," Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan (孔泉) said. "We hope the US side can understand China's actions and not do anything to embolden pro-Taiwan independence actions."
The law, introduced on Tuesday in the National People's Congress, is scheduled for a final vote on Monday and is certain to be approved.
The White House called the measure "unhelpful" and appealed to China to reconsider.
Kong, speaking at a regular news briefing, said other governments should understand that China has to enact the law to protect its territorial integrity.
The spokesman said Washington should be interested in maintaining stability in the region, which Beijing claims is threatened by lobbying on Taiwan to make its independence permanent.
Kong said the topic might come up when US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice visits Beijing on March 20 and March 21.
Discussions are expected to focus on efforts to restart six-nation talks with North Korea on its nuclear program, he said.
China's envoy on the nuclear question was in Washington yesterday for talks with State Department and White House officials.
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Whisky connoisseurs are a rapidly growing demographic in Taiwan, driving prices ever higher as collectors vie for the most coveted editions. Although not a new pastime, whisky collection has been picking up steam in recent years. According to the Scotch Whisky Association, Taiwan was the third-largest buyer of Scotch whisky in 2021 in monetary terms. One collector, surnamed Fu (傅), said there are many types of whisky that are ripe for collecting. One that has skyrocketed in price in recent years is the Macallan 12-year-old Gran Reserva, which bears a striking purple label, said Fu, who has more than 10 years of experience as