March 26, 2005, No. 045
March on March 26 for Democracy and Peace to Protect Taiwan Fully Demonstrates the Heartfelt Love of Peace and Opposition to Violence of the Taiwanese People
The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) indicated today (March 26) that the March for Democracy and Peace to Protect Taiwan held this afternoon was an action that the Taiwanese people took upon themselves as a peaceful and rational expression of protest against the violent intent of China in the legislation of its “anti-separation law” (the so-called anti-secession law). Even more, the march gave the people of Taiwan a tangible voice with which to express to the international community their desire for democracy and peace and their opposition to annexation. The MAC observed that the march had deep significance for solidifying consensus within Taiwan.
With respect to China’s using the passage of the “anti-separation law” as an excuse to unilaterally change the status quo in the Taiwan Strait, the MAC emphasized that the government of Taiwan has already strenuously protested and expressed regret over this action, which undermines regional peace in East Asia as well as security and stability in the Taiwan Strait, and serves only as a violent tactic for trampling on the free will and choice of the Taiwanese people. The March for Democracy and Peace to Protect Taiwan directly reflects the collective will of the public in Taiwan in rejecting this legislation. The MAC called on the Beijing authorities to give up their fear of democracy and warned them against misreading public opinion in Taiwan. The MAC also asked that China, for the sake of cross-strait relations over the long term, not put a negative twist on today’s event but instead openly acknowledge the resolute opposition of the Taiwanese public to “non-peaceful” means, and take concrete action to improve the cross-strait relationship.
The MAC pointed out that recent measures of public opinion in Taiwan have repeatedly shown a clear wish to maintain peaceful and stable cross-strait relations, coupled with an even stronger desire to preserve Taiwan’s own democratic system. The people of Taiwan also cherish the hope of sharing their own experience in democratic development with the people of China.
At the present stage, the government of Taiwan will naturally stay abreast of this trend in public opinion, assess the overall development of the situation, and continue to pay attention to statements from the Beijing authorities in order to prevent any further damage to the cross-strait relationship and regional peace and stability.