The United States should understand and support China's bid to enact an anti-secession law, comments an editorial in Hong Kong's Wen Hui Po. An excerpt follows: 

Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao on Tuesday dismissed allegations by a US State Department official as "irresponsible and unfounded" that China's proposed anti-secession law is a threat to regional peace.

Currently, "Taiwan independence" forces are making waves of independence storms, causing strong indignation among Chinese both at home and abroad, including Taiwan compatriots.

More and more people are calling for the Chinese government to take all necessary action, legislative measures included, to smash independent moves.

Overseas Chinese communities have voiced their overwhelming support for the anti-secession law, pointing out that it will help curb the separatist activities effectively.

Obviously, drafting an anti-secession code is a move in accordance with the common will of the Chinese people, and is definitely an internal affair of China. The move is also in the interests of the international community, to which the United States belongs.

So, some American officials' unfounded allegations not only clearly demonstrate their ignorance of the Chinese people's prevailing will but also their intention to interfere with China's internal affairs.

The US government passed the so-called Taiwan Relations Act in the 1970s, in an attempt to use it as an excuse to intervene in the Taiwan question, which is a Chinese internal affair.

Since assuming power in Taiwan, the independence-minded Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has been pushing through the notorious and unlawful referendum law, attempting to provide a legal platform for its separatist activities.

After Chen Shui-bian's reelection, Taiwan separatists have elevated their activities to a new height.

In these circumstances, starting a legislative procedure for an anti-secession law is an effective brake on the "Taiwan independence" movement.

Maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits and in the Asia-Pacific region is in the interests of China and the international community.

The US should abide by its one-China commitment, oppose any Taiwan separatist moves and words that could possibly change the status quo, and avoid doing anything that could embolden Taiwan separatist forces.

Washington, which is clearly aware of the danger of the separatists, has no reason not to support and understand the mainland's legislative action aimed at opposing separation.

(China Daily December 23, 2004)