Jaushieh Joseph Wu: International Community Must Jointly Stop China’s Enactment of Anti-separation Law
During an exclusive interview with Reuters on February 24th, Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) Chairman Jaushieh Joseph Wu stated that China’s enactment of the “Anti-separation Law” will have a negative effect on the benign atmosphere of interactions achieved by the cross-strait Lunar New Year charter flights. Last year, President Chen Shui-bian had expressed his goodwill and expectations of cross-strait relations on several occasions, including in his inauguration address, National Day address, and in a high-level national security meeting. However, China’s military threats and oppression on Taiwan in the international arena have become increasingly intense. The Taiwanese people have been opposing China’s enactment of the “Anti-separation Law” through different channels. China’s action will undermine Taiwan’s efforts in improving cross-strait relations.
The success of the cross-strait Lunar New Year charter flights proves that both sides can still pragmatically resolve their differences without setting any preconditions. However, China’s enactment of the “Anti-separation Law” will be counter-productive. This is not only detrimental to favorable cross-strait interactions, but also casts a shadow over regional peace and stability. We call on the international community again to join in our efforts to urge the Chinese authorities to deal with cross-strait relations with a brand new framework and mode of thinking.
This is a critical year for the development of cross-strait relations. We will continue to promote cross-strait trade, economic, and cultural exchanges. In addition, we hope to actively and gradually conduct negotiations on substantive issues that concern both sides of the Strait. China should appreciate the goodwill extended by Taiwan and abandon its actions that are aimed at “intimidating” and “coercing” Taiwan. The international community should stand together to stop China’s enactment of the “Anti-separation Law,” which is aimed at unilaterally changing the reality of status quo, that is, both sides are separated and neither side has jurisdiction over the other.