Taiwanese to Rally Against Chinese Law

China's legislature adopted a tough law authorising the use of military force against Taiwan yesterday, prompting a furious reaction in Taipei and concern among neighbouring countries. The contents of the law were largely a re-hash of past politburo statements.

The law lays out three circumstances in which China would use "non-peaceful means": if Taiwan declared formal independence; if "major incidents" looked likely to cause a permanent separation; or if the possibilities for a peaceful reunification had been "completely exhausted". Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive party has announced plans for a huge rally against the law.

Coming at the end of a session in which the National People's Congress approved a 12.6% increase in China's military budget, the law also prompted unease in Japan.

Tokyo recently upset China by saying for the first time that a diplomatic resolution of the Taiwan dispute was a strategic objective of its security alliance with the US.