China's Taiwan declaration sends ripple of unease
China’s parliament today authorised the military to go to war to stop any Taiwanese independence move – a step that caused alarm across Asia.
Such a conflict could pin top US allies in the area such as Japan and Australia between treaty obligations to Washington and reluctance to alienate China, which is assuming a growing political and economic role in the region.
China’s rubber stamp parliament unanimously passed the law to authorise an attack to stop Taiwan from pursuing formal independence, a day after President Hu Jintao told the Chinese military to be prepared for war.
The ceremonial National People’s Congress in Beijing approved the legislation over US calls for restraint and warnings by Taiwan that it would damage regional stability and fragile ties between Beijing and Taipei.
An outbreak of hostilities would be a severe blow to stability in East Asia, possibly prompting a response from the US – which has 50,000 troops in Japan and 35,000 in South Korea – to defend Taiwan.
The White House said China’s threat to use force is an “unfortunate” development that could increase tensions in the region.
“It does not serve the purpose of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. We believe it runs counter to recent progress in cross-Strait relations,” White House press secretary Scott McClellan said.
Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi said: “I want the two sides to work hard toward a peaceful solution, so there will not be any negative impact.”
In Australia, Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said his government would consult with the US, as required by the 54-year-old ANZUS treaty, if a Chinese attack on Taiwan triggered an American military response.
But whether Australia would join the fight was a separate question, he said.
China is Australia’s fastest-growing trading partner and fourth-largest export market.
Taiwan warned that the anti-secessionist law is a serious threat to security in Asia.
Passing the law helped unite the Taiwanese government and opposition parties, which rarely agree on anything.
Russia threw its support behind China, saying it could understand the motives.
The Foreign Ministry reiterated Moscow’s opposition to Taiwan independence and said it considered the question of Taiwan an internal matter for China. China is a top strategic partner for Russia in Asia.
Pakistan, a long time ally of China, also supported the new law.
“Pakistan appreciates and fully supports efforts made by Chinese government for reunification of Taiwan to the motherland and considers the recently passed anti-secession law as part of these efforts,” the Foreign Ministry said in Islamabad.
