Q: In 2005, against the referendum that the Taiwan authority is preparing to carry out, the Chinese legislature put forth the Anti-Secession Law. Why did China draw up such a law? Is it aimed at Taiwan? After adopting this law, will China take unilateral actions to change the present situation across the strait?

A: Careful study of the Anti-Secession Law shows that it fully reflects our consistent peaceful efforts and sincerity to solve the Taiwan question as well as our determination in opposing "Taiwan Independence." This law actually turns the principle of "one country, two systems" that we have held for more than 20 years into law, hence putting our standpoint against "Taiwan Independence" into state will. It does not change our principles toward Taiwan, nor does it change our stance on Taiwan.

We have made unremitting efforts over the years to develop stronger relations between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait and promote a peaceful reunification of the mainland and Taiwan. In recent years, however, the Taiwan authorities have intensified their "Taiwan independence" activities aimed at separating Taiwan from China. Among the various types of their escalating secessionist activities, we should be particularly watchful that the Taiwan authorities are trying to use so-called constitutional or legal means through a referendum, or constitutional reengineering, to back up their secessionist attempt with so-called legality and change the fact that both the mainland and Taiwan belong to one and the same China. Facts have shown that the secessionist activities of "Taiwan independence" forces gravely threaten China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, seriously endanger the prospects for a peaceful reunification and severely undermine the fundamental interests of the Chinese nation. They have posed a serious threat to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and the Asia-Pacific region as a whole. Formulating this Anti-Secession Law, therefore, is both necessary and timely. During the Third Session of the 10th NPC held in March 2005, the Anti-Secession Law was unanimously adopted, which shows that this law reflects the will of all 1.3 billion people.

"There is only one China in the world and both the mainland and Taiwan belong to one and the same China. Sovereignty and territorial integrity of China should by no means be impinged upon." This is China's basic standpoint in dealing with the Taiwan question. The 23 million Taiwan compatriots are our brothers and no people are hoping to peacefully solve the Taiwan question more eagerly than us. Even with a glimmer of hope, we will do our best. Non-peaceful means, as stated in this Law, will be our last resort if all our efforts for a peaceful reunification prove futile.

China will continue to uphold the principle of "one country, two systems" for the prospect of peaceful reunification with utmost sincerity and efforts. China will by no means renounce the use of force. Such means and measures would be completely targeted against the "Taiwan independence" forces and foreign interference forces rather in any way against our Taiwan compatriots. It is the common will and strong resolve of the Chinese people to safeguard China's sovereignty and territorial integrity while never allowing the "Taiwan independence" forces to make Taiwan secede from China under any name or by any means.