[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 12 (Tuesday, February 8, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E185]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


 OPPOSITION TO AN ANTI-SECESSION LAW PROPOSED BY THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC 
                                OF CHINA

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. PETER T. KING

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 8, 2005

  Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in strong opposition 
to an Anti-Secession Law that is being proposed by the People's 
Republic of China. While some positive developments in cross-strait 
relations between China and Taiwan have occurred recently, the 
consideration of an Anti-Secession Law by Beijing threatens to disrupt 
the status-quo. Recently, an agreement was reached by both governments 
to allow historic non-stop charter flights between the People's 
Republic of China and Taiwan during February's Lunar New Year holiday. 
And the arrival on February 1 of a delegation from China to pay their 
respects to the late negotiator Koo Chen-fu, former Chairman of the 
Straits Exchange Foundation, has been a welcome development as well. 
Unfortunately, China's National People's Congress Standing Committee is 
considering a bill that is expected to set up a legal framework to 
provide for the incorporation of Taiwan by China. This legislation, 
however, could be interpreted to legally require Beijing to move 
unilaterally against Taiwan in the event Beijing construed any acts or 
statements by Taipei as a move toward independence.
  I have deep reservations about an Anti-Secession Law. Beijing until 
now has considered Taiwan to be a part of China but has refrained from 
attempting to legally extend its sovereignty over it. While this 
position leaves some flexibility for negotiations on unification, I 
fear that the enactment of this new measure will restrict the debate. 
In addition, there would also be great uncertainty among the thousands 
of Taiwanese who work on the mainland. Would Taiwanese businessmen in 
China run the risk of being jailed for actions interpreted as being 
supportive of Taiwanese authorities? Reactions from Taiwan to the 
proposed law have been universally negative among all of Taiwan's 
political parties and leaders. At a time when the differences between 
Beijing and Taipei can best be resolved through dialogue, the enactment 
of this legislation would make the resumption of these negotiations 
more difficult and inevitably increase tensions in the Taiwan Strait.
  Both the People's Republic of China and Taiwan have a vital interest 
in maintaining peace in the region. My hope is that China will not 
enact an Anti-Secession Law or take any step, for that matter, which 
might prompt a confrontation in the Taiwan Strait.

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