[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 19 (Friday, February 18, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E289]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    THE U.S. SHOULD EXPRESS CONCERN ABOUT CHINA'S ANTI-SECESSION LAW

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 17, 2005

  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I join my colleagues in expressing my concern 
about China's proposed anti-secession law, which is highly provocative 
and may cause a military confrontation across the Taiwan Strait. 
Specifically, the law assumes that China and Taiwan are now unified and 
that China has the right to punish anyone expressing separatist 
sentiments or engaging in separatist activities. Ultimately, China can 
legally push for unification of Taiwan by force, which is the worst 
scenario that we could possibly see.
  Understandably, the 23 million people of Taiwan are very upset over 
this proposed law, for they have lived under a full-fledged democracy, 
enjoyed the highest standard of freedom and human rights. A similar 
reaction occurred in Hong Kong when people there learned about the 
enactment of Article 23 of the Basic Law. Though some people might 
argue that any country could have the right to enact a domestic law, 
but if people's freedom and wellbeing might be endangered because of 
that, then the United States, should not stand by without protesting 
this threat to democracy.
  I hope the Chinese leaders will exercise their wisdom in not adopting 
this anti-secession law next month. I also hope the international 
community will join us in voicing their disapproval of this provocative 
law. Inaction by us will send a dangerous signal to China and encourage 
it to escalate its political rhetoric and belligerent actions against 
Taiwan, a beacon of democracy in that region.
  We do not need any military confrontation in the Taiwan Strait now or 
ever. Let us tell our Chinese friends in Beijing that they should learn 
to appreciate the contributions that the Taiwanese have made to the 
Chinese economy. They should also know that Taiwan stands ready to 
discuss and negotiate any issue with China. The Taiwanese people desire 
a peaceful coexistence with their Chinese brethren and have no desire 
to change the status quo in the Taiwan Strait.

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