Zhao Leji, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, addresses a symposium marking the 20th anniversary of the enforcement of the Anti-Secession Law in Beijing, capital of China, March 14, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhang Ling)

As March 14 marked the 20th anniversary of the adoption of the Anti-Secession Law, a symposium was held in Beijing to commemorate the law's enforcement, where China's top legislator, Zhao Leji, emphasized the need to resolutely combat "Taiwan independence" separatist activities and curb external interference.

Zhao, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, emphasized the importance of unswervingly advancing the cause of national reunification.

The Anti-Secession Law, adopted at the Third Session of the 10th NPC in March 2005, stipulates that "There is only one China in the world. Both the mainland and Taiwan belong to one China. China's sovereignty and territorial integrity brook no division."

On Friday, China's Ministry of State Security released an article, emphasizing that over the past 20 years, the Anti-Secession Law has been instrumental in deterring "Taiwan independence" separatist attempts and advancing peaceful reunification. It has provided a strong legal foundation for safeguarding stability in the Taiwan Straits and fostering the development of cross-Straits relations.

Holding this symposium at this critical moment, along with voices from relevant authorities on March 14, underscores the mainland's firm confidence and determination in dealing with the Taiwan question - resolutely opposing "Taiwan independence" separatists and external interference while steadfastly advancing national reunification, said Li Zhenguang, deputy director at the Institute of Taiwan Studies at Beijing Union University, who attended the symposium in Beijing on Friday. 

Li noted that one of the main challenges in current cross-Straits relations stems from hardline separatists pushing the "Taiwan independence" agenda, adding that they are escalating efforts to sever cross-Straits ties and attempting to drag the people of Taiwan onto the chariot of separatism.

On Thursday, Chen Binhua, a spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, slammed Taiwan regional leader Lai Ching-te for his obstinate stance on "Taiwan independence" and said that his rampant provocation and confrontation once again prove that he is an outright "destroyer of cross-Straits peace" and a "creator of crisis in the Taiwan Straits." 

On Thursday, Lai held a so-called "high-level national security meeting" and, in his remarks afterward, once again propagated the separatist fallacy and labeled the mainland as a "foreign hostile force," according to Taiwan media reports. 

Lai's remarks have sparked concerns in Taiwan, with many worrying that the DPP authorities are reinstating the military court-martial system and further straining cross-Straits relations. 

Li said that Lai and other "Taiwan independence" separatists must realize that the more they recklessly push forward the separatist agenda, the closer they come to a dead end. While firmly opposing "Taiwan independence," the mainland is also leveraging more legal measures to target specific separatist figures. 

"Whether facing separatist forces within Taiwan or external interference, the mainland will remain vigilant," said Li, noting that reunification is a historical trend and the right path that people across the Straits should stand on the right side of. 

Also on Friday, many netizens voluntarily reposted the hashtag "Taiwan, Province of China" on Sina Weibo, making it a trending topic once again. Last week, many mainland netizens, along with several Taiwan-based celebrities, including Angela Zhang, Mark Chao, and Patty Hou, reposted related posts on Weibo, affirming that the only correct designation for Taiwan is "China's Taiwan Province," that Taiwan is an inseparable part of China's territory, and that there is only one China.