news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4331443.stm
Printable version US dismay at China's Taiwan law Wang Zhaoguo delivers his speech, 8 March Wang Zhaoguo gave few details of the proposed law The US has reacted with dismay to an anti-secession law that would allow China to use force against Taiwan. The White House described the planned law as "unhelpful", while a militar y chief warned about what he termed China's "significant" military growt h US legislation obliges it to resist any use of force by China against Tai wan, and provide a means of defence. China sees Taiwan as its territory, and has threatened to use force if th e island formally declares independence. Chinese legislators said that force would only be used as a last resort, if peaceful reunification efforts failed. "We oppose any attempts to determine the future of Taiwan by anything oth er than peaceful means," Mr McClellan told reporters.
China In Depth Mr Boucher said the state department had made it clear to Chinese and Tai wanese officials that passing legislation "is not going to help solve th e problem". Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is reported to be planning a visit to China later this month. Earlier, Taiwanese lawmakers responded quickly and angrily to the propose d legislation, saying it was a pretext for attack. "It has caused tension in the region," said Chiu Tai-shan, vice-chairman of Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council.
and unilaterally change the status quo of the T aiwan Strait," he added. The proposed law does not give details of what developments might trigger Chinese action. Delegates to the National People's Congress were told on Tuesday that Chi na "shall employ non-peaceful means and other necessary measures" if hop es for peaceful reunification were "completely exhausted". Some analysts said China's emphasis on "non-peaceful" means appeared designed to incl ude alternatives to military force, such as blockades or sanctions.
Excerpts from statement Announcing the bill, senior legislator Wang Zhaoguo argued that China's b asic policy towards Taiwan remained the "one country, two systems" formu la, as employed in Hong Kong. Also on Tuesday Admiral William Fallon, head of the US Pacific Command, t old the Senate Armed Services Committee in Washington that ongoing Chine se military procurement was a "cause for concern". China has concentrated on building up its maritime capabilities, acquirin g submarines and aircraft from Russia, as well as building its own. "It seems to be more than might be required for their defence," Reuters n ews agency reported Adm Fallon as saying.
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