[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 23 (Thursday, March 3, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E355]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       CHINA'S ANTI-SECESSION LAW

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                        HON. JOHN J. DUNCAN, JR.

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 3, 2005

  Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, I was disappointed to learn that China is 
drafting an anti-secession law, aimed at annexing Taiwan. The Taiwanese 
people are very concerned with China's action and understandably so.
  China has long presumed that it and Taiwan are unified. However, the 
reality is, since 1949, they have been two nations existing side by 
side with neither having control over the other.
  The proposed law also assumes that the only outcome of cross-strait 
negotiation is annexation of Taiwan by China. This would deny the 23 
million people of Taiwan the right to decide their own future and would 
go against the intentions of the Taiwan Relations Act.
  Many believe, if enacted, the law would be used to justify the legal 
basis for the Chinese government to punish anyone speaking or acting 
against the reunification of Taiwan and China. Moreover, Chinese 
leaders might that this law permits the use of force against Taiwan if 
China considers Taiwanese leaders to be engaging in separatist 
activities.
  Clearly, China is seeking to unilaterally change the status quo in 
the Taiwan Strait. If enacted, this law would destroy any good feelings 
the Taiwanese people might have gained for China through increasing 
economic interdependence. It would also make them less willing to sit 
down and discuss their future with China.
  In the end, military tension in the Taiwan Strait will rise, 
affecting regional peace and stability. This is not in the best 
interests of either Country.
  Mr. Speaker, we should all speak out against China's proposed law. It 
is a bad law with potentially serious consequences.

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