Roundup: International community continues to back China's Anti-Secession Law

Almost a dozen countries around the world continued to express their support for China's Anti-Secession Law, which is intended to prevent the secession of Taiwan from China and clarify China's position on the Taiwan issue.

In Asia, Sri Lanka's Foreign Ministry on Thursday released a statement to reiterate its firm adherence to the one-China policy, saying the new legislation provides chance for a peaceful reunification of China.

"Sri Lanka has consistently accepted the one-China policy and that Taiwan is an inalienable part of the People's Republic of China," the statement said.

The Anti-Secession Law provides for a peaceful reunification, the maintenance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits, as well as the promotion of the interests of all Chinese people, the statement said.

Sri Lanka "welcomes growing cross-strait economic and other exchanges such as the promotion of direct trade, mail, air and shipping links," it said.

The Bahrain Foreign Ministry and the Diplomatic, Defense and National Security Committee also voiced their understanding and support for the Anti-Secession Law ratified on Monday by China's National People's Congress. The law came into effect immediately Monday after President Hu Jintao signed a presidential decree to promulgate it.

They stressed that there is only one China in the world and the Taiwan issue is China's internal affair and should be resolved by Chinese people without any foreign interference.

A spokesman with the Bangladeshi Foreign Ministry said Dakar adheres to the one-China policy and believes China has the right to guard its sovereignty and territory integrity.

In Africa, Comoro President Azali Assoumani sent a message on Wednesday to President Hu, expressing his appreciation of and support for the newly adopted law.

Azali reiterated the full support of the Comoro government and people to Chinese people's endeavor to realize national reunification.

Hamoud Ould Abdi, Mauritania's Minister of Communication and Relations with Parliament, said Mauritania has been and will continue to be a firm supporter of China's efforts in achieving national reunification and safeguarding territorial integrity.

The Ugandan government also issued a statement on Thursday endorsing the law.

"Uganda views the recent Anti-Secession Law passed by China's NPC on March 14, 2005 as a defensive measure aimed at safeguarding China's sovereignty, territorial integrity and the prospect of a peace reunification," the statement said.

"What the NPC has done reflects the Chinese government's consistent position on the prospect of peace reunification. It has at the same time demonstrated the will of the Chinese people to safeguard China's sovereignty and territorial integrity," it said.

"We believe that the legislation will work toward maintaining peace, stability and prosperity in the Taiwan Straits, the Asia-Pacific region and the world at large."

Nigeria's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and African Integration said Taiwan is an unalienable part of China.

Lesotho Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili also sent a message to his Chinese counterpart, Wen Jiabao, congratulating the ratification of the law.

Mosisili reiterated his government's firm stand of a one-China policy and stressed that every country has the right to defend its independence and sovereignty.