[elstatec]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-p ... 346283.stm

[quote:4c4dc]
China passes Taiwan secession law
Chinese soldiers
The threat of force is a key element of China's Taiwan policy
China's legislature has passed a law giving it the legal right to use force against Taiwan if the island declares formal independence from the mainland.

The National People's Congress voted in favour after President Hu Jintao told the army to be prepared for war.

China sees Taiwan as its territory and says it reserves the right to use force if "peaceful re-unification" fails.

The Congress was also expected to pass a further significant increase in Chinese military spending.

China's announcement last week of the anti-secession law drew criticism in Taiwan and from US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

'People's determination'

In Monday's session of the Congress, the anti-secession law was passed unanimously by a margin of 2,896 to zero.

Delegates broke into applause when the law was passed, the Associated Press news agency reports.

China's second leader, Wu Bangguo, said the law "represents the people's determination not to allow Taiwan to be separated from China by any means or any excuses".

As passed, the law calls for the use of "non-peaceful and other necessary measures" if hopes for peaceful unification are exhausted.

On Sunday, Mr Hu told China's army, which has expanded rapidly in recent years amid growing concern in the US, to put national defence "above all else".

Taiwan split from China during a civil war in 1949 and has maintained de facto independence ever since. [/quote:4c4dc]

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