[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 21 (Tuesday, March 1, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E316-E317]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 EXPRESSING CONCERN OVER CHINA'S INTRODUCTION OF AN ANTI-SECESSION LAW

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. TOM DAVIS

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 1, 2005

  Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, in mid January China and 
Taiwan agreed to allow direct flights between the Chinese mainland and 
Taiwan during this year's Lunar New Year holidays. This agreement was 
considered to be a small but important step toward a peaceful, 
diplomatic resolution. In this vein, it is important that the United 
States continue to lend help to maintain the crucial balance in 
relations between China and Taiwan.
  In December 2004, China unveiled its plan to introduce legislation 
that, under certain circumstances, would permit China to legally take 
military action against Taiwan. Chinese officials claimed the measure 
was defensive in nature, and that it was in response to radical pro-
independence forces in Taiwan that have reached the point of no return. 
Critics, however, speculate the hard line Taiwanese independence 
movement that China laments gets much of its oxygen from China's 
confrontational fervor. Additionally, Beijing denied charges of 
unilaterally changing the status quo and underscored the measure as an 
``anti-secession law'', as opposed to a ``unification law''.
  Ironically, Beijing's move seems to be breeding a popular clamor 
within Taiwan spawning a reactionary law in retaliation. Taipei has 
already begun drafting an ``anti-annexation'' law, which will likely 
include an immediate declaration of formal independence and mandate a 
referendum on any move by China to change the status quo. This type of 
back-and-forth exchange has the potential to yield grim ramifications 
on the vision of a peaceful diplomatic resolve.

[[Page E317]]

  While this provision may be well intentioned, I am concerned about 
the adverse effects it could have on the fundamental balance of 
relations between Taipei and Beijing. Many Taiwanese citizens perceive 
this law as China using its iron fist to promote its ``one country, two 
systems'' vision. Additionally, they have voiced their concern over the 
unknown particulars in the measure. For instance, how will the anti-
secession law define secession? Will it simply be against a formal 
declaration of independence? These concerns, along with gauging the 
necessity of such a law, have formed a deep sense of suspicion and 
reluctance within the Taiwanese.
  Mr. Speaker, in closing I would like to accentuate my concern over 
the ball of yarn this ``anti-secession'' law could end up unraveling. 
It is important for the United States to help maintain the balance in 
cross-strait relations and to discourage against actions that may muddy 
the proverbial waters. I urge my colleagues to closely examine 
Beijing's initiative along with the unintended implications it could 
pose in severely dampening the region's stability.

                          ____________________