China's enactment of the Anti-Secession Law, as part of the overarching principle, is to closely focus on the theme of opposing and checking the secessionist activities of the "Taiwan independence" forces and promoting China's peaceful reunification, a senior Chinese lawmaker said in Beijing Tuesday.
  
Wang Zhaoguo, vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, made the remark while making explanations on the draft Anti-Secession Law, at the ongoing NPC annual session.
  
The other points of the principle are to implement the policy guideline of the central authorities on Taiwan, give full expression to China's consistent position of doing the utmost with maximum sincerity for a peaceful reunification, demonstrate the common will and strong resolve of the entire Chinese people to safeguard China's sovereignty and territorial integrity while never allowing the "Taiwan independence" forces to make Taiwan secede from China under any name or by any means, he said.
  
"In our legislative work, we must base ourselves on the above principles, heed the views from various quarters fully and follow the prescribed procedures strictly," Wang said.
  
According to him, the drafting team carefully reviewed the comments and proposals on the Taiwan-related legislation made by deputies to the NPC, members of the National Committee of the Chinese Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), people from all walks of life and overseas Chinese communities over the past few years.
  
Wu Bangguo, chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, convened four workshops to listen to the views of leading officials from certain provinces and municipalities, jurists and Taiwan specialists, heads of relevant central departments, compatriots from Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao and representatives of overseas Chinese communities.
 
After pooling and studying the opinions from the various quarters, a comment-seeking copy of the draft Anti-Secession Law was prepared, Wang said.
  
General Secretary Hu Jintao of the CPC Central Committee then chaired a forum for leaders of the central committee of China non-communist parties, the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce and personages with no party affiliations, and Chairman Wu Bangguo convened a discussion for legal experts and Taiwan specialists to listen to their views on the comment-seeking copy of the draft legislation.
  
At its 13th meeting, the NPC Standing Committee carefully considered the draft legislation before unanimously passed the bill on the draft Anti-Secession Law and decided to submit it to this NPC Session for deliberation, Wang said. 

(Xinhua News Agency March 8, 2005)