China's "anti-secession law"
In mid-December 2004, the Beijing authorities announced they intended to introduce an "anti-secesssion law" in the PRC's National People's Congress, a rubber-stamp body. The law would make it "illegal" to secede from China. The law is clearly aimed at Taiwan and mandates military action by the Peoples' Liberation Army in the case Taiwan wants to remain a free and democratic nation.
Between 26 and 29 December 2004, the proposal was reportedly approved by a Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, and was put on the agenda of the full NPC for approval in mid-March 2005.
On 14 March 2005, the law was passed by the NPC by a vote of 2,896 to zero, with two abstentions. The full text of the law can be found here: Full text of the anti-secession law 
It is clear that the new law is an attempt by Beijing to increase the pressure on Taiwan, and "legalize"a military attack on Taiwan. In this way, Beijing is throwing a peaceful resolution out of the window, and focuses on military force to get its way.
On 17 February 2005, two Resolutions were introduced in the US House of Representatives, criticizing the new law as a destabilizing factor in the Taiwan Strait: H.Con.Res. 70 and H.Con.Res. 76
On 15 March 2005, the two resolutions were merged into one Resolution, proposed Congressman Henry Hyde (R-IL), chairman of the Committee on International Relations. On 16 March 2005 this resolution, H.Con.Res. 98 was passed by a vote of 424 - 4.
Overview of press reports and editorials
2005
2004
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