Associated Press

Beijing, March 27:

China warned today that Taiwan is stirring “new tension” with Beijing, a day after thousands of Taiwanese marched in protest against the communist mainland’s threats to take their self-ruling island by force. Vowing never to back down, China said via government media it stood by its anti-secession law passed on March 14, which authorises an attack on Taiwan if it moves toward formal independence. “The extreme Taiwan independence secessionists have been malevolently distorting the principles of the law to misguide the Taiwan people and instigate antagonism and create new tension across the Taiwan Strait,” the commentary said. It was printed in official newspapers and read on state television. Taiwan’s protesters yesterday said they wouldn’t be silenced by Beijing. “What do we want from China? Peace,” they chanted. Organisers said one million people took part. Taiwan’s opposition Nationalist Party, which is against independence, stayed away.

China’s completely government-controlled media portrayed the march as “political carnival” and a waste of money that caused traffic jams. “Taiwan independence march is an empty show of strength,” read a headline in the Beijing Morning Post. The newspapers didn’t carry pictures of the march. CNN and BBC broadcasts, only available at hotels and apartment complexes for foreigners, were blacked out when they reported on the protest. In Taiwan, a senior official said China should try to ease worries about the law. “They should try to get the message of the demonstration,” said Chiu Tai-san, vice chairman of the Mainland Affairs Council. “The direction of future cross-Strait relations depends on what action the Chinese communists will take.”

Taiwan press hails rally

TAIPEI: Taiwan’s press on Sunday hailed the mass rally against China’s anti-secession law as a sign of the island’s determination to safeguard its democracy but also cautioned against provoking a confrontation with Beijing. In its editorial, the China Times said Taiwanese people had displayed their anger at the law by taking to the streets of Taipei. “The demonstrators came from all corners of the island. Their devotion to the safeguarding the Republic of China’s freedom, peace and democracy has emerged as a touching modern epic,” it said, using Taiwan’s official name. The Taipei Times said the demonstration would make China “pause or even halt if they face a decision on whether to unilaterally impose unification on Taiwan”. However, it admitted the likelihood of Beijing revoking the law “is next to impossible”. Urging caution, The China Times called on the Taiwanese authorities to “refrain from taking provocative steps which might allow the Chinese an excuse to use non-peaceful means.” — AFP