Taiwan referendum bill angers China

TAIWAN’S parliament approved a watershed bill yesterday allowing its people to vote on sovereignty and other issues.

But it risks the wrath of China, which has vowed to attack the island if it declares independence.

The complex referendum bill was passed in a parliament session that stretched late into the night. It has to be signed into law by pro-independence President Chen Shui-bian, a step seen as a formality.

China’s state media said Chen was courting disaster for the island. A Chinese general spoke last week of possible war, and in the run-up to 1996 presidential elections, China threatened the island with war games.

Passing the bill is a mixed victory for the president, as it includes constraints from the opposition parties who together have a slim majority in parliament.

It is also a slap in the face to China ahead of Taiwan’s presidential elections next March, when the issue of sovereignty is likely to take centre stage. Analysts and diplomats expect angry statements from China in the coming days.