[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 19 (Friday, February 18, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E301]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      CHINESE ANTI-SECESSION LAWS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. TRENT FRANKS

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 17, 2005

  Mr. FRANKS of Arizona. Mr. Speaker, the Peoples Republic of China is 
planning to enact an anti-secession law this March. This law will give 
China jurisdiction over Taiwan and provide Chinese leaders the right to 
use force against Taiwan if China suspects secessionist activities in 
Taiwan. Predictably, Taiwan has reacted to this proposal with 
considerable alarm. If Chinese leaders persist, and are successful in 
enacting this law, Taiwan might very well be forced to enact an anti-
annexation law in response.
  This battle of laws is most unfortunate in view of the fact that 
cross-strait relations have been improving recently. On January 15 of 
this year, China and Taiwan agreed to have direct charter flights 
during the Chinese New Year. Both sides have agreed to continue to work 
toward restoring direct trade, transport and postal ties; ``three 
links'' of vital importance. The economies of China and Taiwan have 
grown increasingly interdependent: Taiwanese businesses have invested 
as much as $100 billion in China and as many as one million Taiwanese 
people now live and work on the mainland.
  Mr. Speaker, the latest controversy relating to China's proposed 
anti-secession law has once again highlighted the political division 
between China and Taiwan. It is apparent to me that China is seeking to 
force its own style of government on the 23 million people of Taiwan. 
China has totally ignored Taiwan's contributions to the economic well 
being of their country. China has continued to ignore the repeated 
gestures of good will offered by President Chen Shui-bian of Taiwan.
  By unilaterally attempting to change the status quo in the Taiwan 
Strait, China is also challenging America's resolve to stand behind the 
Taiwan Relations Act, which unequivocally states that it is the policy 
of the United States ``to resist any resort to force or other forms of 
coercion that would jeopardize the security, or the social or economic 
system, of the people of Taiwan.'' The Taiwan Relations Act also 
affirms that one of the objectives of the United States is ``the 
preservation and enhancement of the human rights of all the people on 
Taiwan.''
  Mr. Speaker, it is my view that China's proposed anti-secession law 
is provocative and dangerous and poses a grave threat to peace and 
stability in the region. We must make it known that China's latest 
attempts to enact any form of an anti-secession law will do irreparable 
harm to the goodwill that is building between the peoples of Taiwan and 
China. Further, it will almost inevitably lead to escalating tension in 
the Taiwan Strait. Taiwanese people should not have to allow the 
authoritarian government in China to mandate the annexation of free 
Taiwan, and freedom-loving people in the world should not sit idly by 
as that happens.

                          ____________________