Beijing could soon elaborate Anti-Secession Law for ‘non-peaceful’ Taiwan reunification

Cautionary remarks by former US envoy, Taipei lawmaker come after PLA unleashes blockade drills over speech by island’s ‘separatist’ leader

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Taiwanese soldiers display the self-governed island’s national flag during Taiwan’s National Day celebration in Taipei on Thursday. Photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 7:16am, 16 Oct 2024

A former US envoy and Taiwanese lawmaker have warned that Beijing could delve into further detail regarding mainland China’s law enabling it to act towards “non-peaceful” reunification with Taiwan.

Next year Beijing could use the 20th anniversary of its Anti-Secession Law to clarify how “non-peaceful means” may be taken against Taiwan, according to Taipei City councillor Vincent Chao.

Chao delivered his cautionary remarks at the launch of a report assessing the legal implications of the law by the Centre for Strategic and International Studies, a Washington think tank, on Tuesday.

“We believe that the further weaponisation of the Anti-Secession Law is not only possible but likely,” said Chao. “[Chinese President] Xi Jinping has already interpreted [the] Anti-Secession Law in a way that none of his successors had in the past.”

Vincent Chao (centre), a Taipei City councillor, speaks at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies, a Washington-based think tank, on Tuesday. Photo: SCMP

Enacted in 2005, the law states that Taiwan is a part of China and allows non-peaceful means to be taken if “peaceful unification” is no longer achievable.