Overseas Chinese community organizations yesterday voiced their support for Beijing's initiative to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity through legislation.

After the 10th National People's Congress unanimously passed the Anti-Secession Law, the Hong Kong Overseas Chinese General Association and its 16 affiliated member groups held a forum in Hong Kong to "support unification and oppose division."

Presiding over the forum, Chan Kam Lit, vice-chairman of the association, said the central government was forced by Taiwan secessionists into such a move.

He said although the law is not applicable to Hong Kong, "opposing 'Taiwan independence' and promo-ting reunification is the mission of overseas Chinese."

"The central government has high hopes for Hong Kong, who should capitalize on its geographical advantages, liaising with Taiwan people through non-governmental channels in order to rein in Taiwan secessionist activities," he said

In a written statement read out at the forum, the president of Hong Kong Federation of Overseas Chinese Associations, Robin Chan Yau-hing, gave staunch backing for the law. "It serves the fundamental interests of the Chinese people and tallies with international laws," said Chan.

Representatives from a Burmese Chinese group voiced their support. A Singaporean and Malaysian Chinese alumni association announced at the forum it is planning to print a few thousand copies of the new law to be distributed in Southeast Asia, Europe and America. Some attendants proposed to secure support from overseas Chinese in America, and urged those present to fight Taiwan secessionists around them.

Meanwhile, an organization aimed to promoting youth exchanges between Hong Kong and Taiwan released a statement in which it supported the Anti-Secession Law. The society pointed out the law is aimed at Taiwan secessionists and not at Taiwan compatriots.

(China Daily March 15, 2005)