[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 19 (Friday, February 18, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E306]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  CHINA'S PROPOSED ANTI-SECESSION LAW

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                        HON. PATRICK J. KENNEDY

                            of rhode island

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 17, 2005

  Mr. KENNEDY of Rhode Island. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong concern 
over China's proposed anti-secession law that it plans to include in 
its March 2005 agenda of the National People's Congress.
  This anti-secession law is highly provocative, and needlessly moves 
cross-strait relations away from dialogue and possibly towards open 
confrontation. I am particularly concerned about the law's assumption 
that China and Taiwan are now unified and how the law sets up a legal 
framework for retaliation if Taiwan declares independence. Under this 
proposed law, China could claim the legal right to push for unification 
of Taiwan by force, which is the worst possible scenario.
  The 23 million people of Taiwan are understandably very upset over 
this proposed law. As we all know, the people of Taiwan live in a full-
fledged democracy and enjoy the highest standards of freedom and human 
rights. We remember a similar reaction and back-lash by the citizens of 
Hong Kong when they learned about the enactment of the Article 23 anti-
sedition laws. While claiming the theory of ``one country, two 
systems,'' it appears that Beijing's implementation of its theory may 
result in the blocking of democratic reforms and the undermining of 
autonomous self-governance.
  Certainly any country has the right to enact their own domestic laws, 
but I do not feel that any country should use their domestic laws as 
justification to suppress or intimidate democracy abroad. While the 
President spoke very eloquently of promoting democracy and liberty 
abroad in his Inaugural Address, we must remember that our country 
still has a solemn duty to defend democracy and liberty.
  I hope the Chinese leaders will be wise to not adopt this anti-
secession law in March. I also urge the international community to join 
us to voice their disapproval of this provocative law. Inaction by the 
world will likely send a wrong signal to Beijing.

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