Special report: NPC & CPPCC Annual Sessions 2005

                 China enacts Anti-Secession Law

Hundreds of Chinese living in South Africa, Lesotho, Mozambique and Namibia held separate gatherings in Johannesburg and Windhoek on Monday to celebrate theadoption of an anti-secession law in China, pledging efforts for China's reunification. (Photo: Xinhua)

    JOHANNESBURG, March 15 (Xinhuanet) -- Hundreds of Chinese living in South Africa, Lesotho, Mozambique and Namibia held separate gatherings in Johannesburg and Windhoek on Monday to celebrate theadoption of an anti-secession law in China, pledging efforts for China's reunification.

    The participants shared the common view that the anti-secession law is not a law of war but one for peaceful reunification.

    In Johannesburg gathering, Andy W.P. Lee, vice chairman of the all-Africa association for promotion of peaceful reunification of China, said the law sends an unequivocal message to the "Taiwan independence" secessionist forces and their activities.

    Lee, himself a Taiwanese, said that most of the Taiwanese living in South Africa favor peaceful reunification and that separatist acts of the very few are doomed to failure.

    Chen Kehui, chairman of the Lesotho association for promotion of peaceful reunification of China, called on all Chinese living in Africa to fend off malicious distortion of the spirit of the law by secessionists in Taiwan.

    Jiang Yongsheng, chairman of the Mozambique association for promotion of peaceful reunification of China, said China's sovereignty and territorial integrity shall not be infringed upon and those who attempt to hinder China's reunification and thus jeopardize China's fundamental interests will become the common foe of all the Chinese.

    A statement was passed in Johannesburg gathering which calls onthe Taiwanese authorities to respect the common wishes of the peace-loving Chinese across the world, including Taiwanese compatriots, for the reunification of China.

    The Taiwanese authorities are also urged to resume cross-straits dialogues immediately.

    At a separate gathering in the Namibian capital of Windhoek, Chen Qingping, chairman of the Namibia association for promotion of peaceful reunification of China, said the adoption of the anti-secession law sets a legal framework for preventing Taiwan's secession from China and promoting peaceful national reunification, which is in the interests of all the Chinese people and conducive to regional and world peace and stability.

    The National People's Congress, China's legislature, on Monday passed the law which came into effect immediately after President Hu Jintao signed a presidential order to promulgate it later in the morning. Enditem