The draft Anti-Secession Law to be deliberated by Chinese legislators gives a broader room to cross-Straits consultations and negotiations on any issues as long as the one-China principle is adhered to for national reunification, a senior lawmaker said in Beijing Tuesday.

Wang Zhaoguo, vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), told a NPC session the draft legislation expressly provides that the state stands for the achievement of peaceful reunification through consultations and negotiations on an equal footing between the two sides of the Taiwan Straits.
  
These consultations and negotiations may be conducted in steps and phases and with flexible and varied modalities, he said while making explanations on the draft Law.
  
According to the draft, the two sides may consult and negotiate on officially ending the state of hostility between the two sides, mapping out the development of cross-Straits relations, steps and arrangements for a peaceful reunification, the political status of the Taiwan authorities, the Taiwan region's room of international operation that is compatible with its status, and other matters concerning the achievement of peaceful reunification.

(Xinhua News Agency March 8, 2005)