March 9, 1997
The Fifteenth NPC adopts the "National Defense Law," which lays down in statutory form the basic principles of and operations for national defense. This shows that the PRC desires to dispel international worries about the "China threat." PRC Defense Minister Chi Haotian says that this law can guard against the Taiwan independence movement and other secessionist movements calling for splitting the nation.
August 1, 1997
At the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, PRC Defense Minister Chi Haotian says, "The PRC would never renounce the use of force, specifically against the Taiwan independence movement, movement to split the mother land, and intervention by foreign forces."