Associated Press

Taipei, March 12:

President Chen Shui-bian today delivered a stern warning to China against enacting an anti-secession law that authorises military attacks on Taiwan if it declares formal independence, saying ties would deteriorate even further if the legislation is passed. “The legislation shows China ignores that Taiwanese have the right to choose a democratic and free lifestyle,” Chen told a gathering of his ruling Democratic Progressive Party. “If they ignore the strong opposition of the international community and go ahead with the legislation, it risks setting off the crisis of a full-phase backtracking of relations,” Chen said.

Meanwhile, Taiwanese Vice President Annette Lu leaves here today for a trip to two South American allies via the United States, a visit sure to irk rival China. Lu, scheduled to depart around 4:30 pm, will arrive in the US on Sunday where she will have lunch at a Houston steakhouse visited by President Chen Shui-bian during a similar transit in 2001. She will tour NASA (the National Aeronautics and Space Administration) in Florida on Monday before flying on to Guatemala and El Salvador, two of the few countries to recognise Taiwan diplomatically.

The United States is Taiwan’s biggest arms supplier and is treaty-bound to provide enough weaponry for the island to defend itself from a Chinese invasion. China’s bellicose stand on Taiwan is due to increase on Monday when the National People’s Congress is expected to enact an anti-secession law providing a legal basis for an attack. The proposed law has been angrily condemned by Taiwan and the ruling Democratic Progressive Party is planning a rally against it on March 26. Lu’s visit also comes after China’s diplomatic victories when Vanuatu and Grenada switched recognition from Taipei to Beijing. Twenty-five countries, mostly small states in Africa, Latin America and the Pacific, recognise Taiwan.