Associated Press

Taipei, January 1:

Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian described rival China’s plans for an anti-secession law as a threat to regional security in his New Year message today.

China’s parliament, the National People’s Congress, will discuss plans for the law at its full session convening on March 5. Beijing says the law is aimed at pushing Taiwan to unite with the mainland. China and Taiwan split during civil war in 1949. The mainland still considers the self-ruling, democratic island its territory and has threatened force if Taiwan makes its de facto independence permanent. Beijing has viewed with alarm the continuing efforts by Chen to forge a more separate identity for Taiwan, such as his proposal to hold a referendum on changing the island’s constitution.

In his speech to senior government leaders, Chen accused Beijing of drawing up the law to find a pretext for military moves against Taiwan. “The law not only unilaterally changes the currently peaceful cross-strait status quo, but also forms the biggest threat to regional stability and world peace,” Chen said.

“We call again on China’s communist authorities not to underestimate the Taiwanese people’s determination to protect the Republic of China’s sovereignty, security, and respect,” he said, using Taiwan’s official name. Chen’s speech also focused on domestic politics, calling for harmony between government and opposition.