As the top Chinese legislature Tuesday formally began deliberating a draft law aimed at effectively checking Taiwan's secession from China, residents in Taiwan interviewed by Xinhua called the proposed law "pragmatic, staunch, mild and rational" and hoped the law could "promote the development of cross-Straits relations by legal means".

Wang Zhaoguo (L), vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) of China, makes explanations on the draft Anti-Secession Law during the second plenum of the Third Session of the 10th NPC in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing March 8, 2005.

"The main content of the draft law made public today showed that it is a law of peace, not a 'law of war' as described by the pro-independence activists in their propaganda," said Chen Yuchun, director of the Graduate School of American Studies of the Taiwan-based Chinese Culture University.

Chen, after reading news reports about the explanations made by Wang Zhaoguo, vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, on the draft anti-secession law Tuesday morning, said that such explanations dispelled doubts and worries of some people in Taiwanand made general public in Taiwan feel at ease.

"I think this law is pragmatic, staunch, mild and rational, andwill help create new opportunities for the development of cross-Straits relations," Chen added.

The proposed anti-secession law will make clear the severe consequences of "Taiwan independence" activities and serve as a deterrence to the secessionist forces on the island, said Shaw Chong Hai, a professor with the Chinese Culture University.

Wang Chin Ping, chairman of China Foundation of Taiwan, noted that the anti-secession law would outline concrete measures for encouraging and promoting cross-Straits personnel, cultural, scientific and sports exchanges and economic cooperation, showing the mainland's active attitude toward promoting peace, stability and development across the Straits.

Jyh-huei Her, chairman of the Taiwan-based Cross-Strait Economic & Trade Association, said that the proposed law has a clear-cut aim of "promoting the development of cross-Straits relations by legal means", and epitomizes the "goodwill of the mainland."

"It is the secessionist activities of the 'Taiwan independence'forces, such as the seeking of 'Constitutional reform' and 'referendum', that have led to the enactment of the anti-secession law," asserted Su Chi, a professor with Taiwan's Tamkang University.

The proposed law has differentiated the broad masses of the Taiwan people, who are against "Taiwan independence", from a handful of secessionists, and has helped the Taiwan people see clearly the "bottomline" in the cross-Straits relations, added Su.

Citing Chinese President Hu Jintao's latest proposal that "cross-Straits dialogues and talks can be resumed immediately as long as both sides recognize the '1992 Consensus'", Su said "this is the best way out for the Taiwan authorities in handling cross-Straits relations".