Members of China's top advisory body Tuesday air their support to enactment of the Anti-Secession Law, saying it is "necessary," "timely" and in line with the common will and fundamental interests of all Chinese people, including the 23 million Taiwan compatriots.

Escalating secessionist activities of the "Taiwan independence" forces have gravely challenged the status quo that the mainland and Taiwan belong to one and the same China, threatened China's sovereignty and territorial integrity and seriously endangered the prospects for a peaceful reunification, said members of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) during their panel discussions on Tuesday.

They reached a consensus that the Anti-Secession Law will effectively check Taiwan's secession from China in the name of "Taiwan independence" and is for sure to boost stability and development of cross-Straits relations and promote national peaceful reunification.

"We must resort to legal means to curb secessionist activities of the 'Taiwan independence' forces," said Zhou Tienong, vice chairman of CPPCC National Committee. "In fact, China has referred to the experience of the United States in the formulation of the Anti-Secession Law."

He was referring to a law enacted during the US Civil War to prevent some southern states from seceding from the federal government. "Both laws reflect the governments' determination to safeguard national reunification," said Zhou, also vice chairman of the 10th Central Committee of Revolutionary Committee of Chinese Kuomintang.

The Chinese mainland has won support of people all over the world by easing tension in cross-Straits relations and promoting national reunification with maximum sincerity, said Liu Yiming, vice chairman of the 7th Central Committee of Taiwan Democratic Self-Government League.

"The Law manifests both an unwavering principle and deep sincerity, and reflects the broad-mindedness of the Chinese nation and the respect for our Taiwan compatriots as well," said Shi Sizhen, a native of Taiwan province and member of the CPPCC National Committee.

During the discussions, Zhao Yong, an official with the Central Committee of Communist Youth League of China, expressed the belief the Law will receive the unanimous support from all Chinese youth. "Rampant foreign aggressions and dismemberment of Chinese territory in its modern history are imprinted in the Chinese people's mind. It has since become their basic responsibility and sentiments to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity," he said.

Non-Communist advisor Ouyang Minggao said it is the common practice in a country ruled by law to sublimate the people's will to state will, and the formulation of the Law is a milestone in the process of peaceful national reunification.

"The Anti-Secession Law is more than a domestic law," said Xia Rongqiang, an advisor on social welfare and security issues. "It also declares to the world the will and determination of the Chinese government and people to achieve peaceful reunification."

By reiterating the one-China principle, the Law has drawn the base line for the Taiwan authorities to gear to the right track, said Lu Debin, a CPPCC member representing the China Democratic League.

"The Anti-Secession Law is not one for war, but one for peace,"said Wang Pinxian, a member from the scientific circles who has exchanged ideas with his counterparts in Taiwan. "Most Taiwan compatriots in the scientific circles oppose 'Taiwan independence'and uphold peace."

Yet a law is necessary to check the escalating secessionist activities, said Wen Guangchun, deputy director of Chinese PLA General Logistics Department. "It demonstrates our determination, aspiration and power."

The lieutenant general said China has the utmost sincerity and patience in the Taiwan issue and seeks to solve the issue by peaceful means. "But we do not exclude non-peaceful means or other necessary measures, should the 'Taiwan independence' forces persist in their secessionist activities," he said.

Taiwan-born CPPCC member Huang Zhicheng believed the Taiwan compatriots would approve the Law. "I'm confident they will, because I used to live there," he said.