Taiwan is urging China to scrap an anti-secession law now that
relations between the mainland and self-ruled island have improved in
the last year.
In a statement released Saturday, Taiwan's
Mainland Affairs Council called on Beijing to abolish the law and
dismantle missiles aimed at the island, in order to further promote
cross-strait relations.
Relations between China and Taiwan have
improved since the election last May of Taiwanese President Ma
Ying-jeou. Mr. Ma's Nationalist Party supports closer ties with
Beijing.
China established the anti-secession law in 2005 while
Taiwan was under the leadership of then-president Chen Shui-bian, who
supported island's independence.
The anti-secession law allows China to use force against the island if it takes formal steps toward independence.
On
Friday, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said Beijing is willing to discuss
Taiwan's possible participation in international organizations.
China
and Taiwan split after Mao Zedong's Communist army drove the
Nationalist forces to Taiwan. Beijing claims sovereignty over the
island and vows to be reunited with it, even if by force.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP and AP.