Statement by the Press Secretary/Director-General for Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on the Anti-Secession Law

March 14, 2005

The Government of Japan is concerned about what is stipulated in the Anti-Secession Law adopted today (March 14) at the National People's Congress, that China must use non-peaceful means as a last resort should there be any move by Taiwan toward independence, as the Law might exert a negative influence over peace and stability in the Taiwan Straits and also relations between the two sides of the straits, which have been improving recently.
On the other hand, the Government of Japan takes note of what is stipulated in the Law, namely, that China would make its utmost efforts to peacefully solve the issue between China and Taiwan. The Government also takes note of the four opinions announced by President Hu Jintao at the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference on March 4, which stated that China "will never abandon its efforts to achieve peaceful reunification".
A peaceful solution through dialogues between the parties concerned is necessary for the issues concerning Taiwan, and Japan strongly hopes for an early resumption of the dialogue for that purpose. Being consistently against use of force, Japan is against any means of solution other than a peaceful one.
The stance of the Government of Japan on Taiwan is as stated in the Japan-China Joint Communiqué of 1972 and has not changed at all.

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