Randall Schriver, deputy assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs, tells House International Relations Committee China's decision to enact anti-secession legislation has undermined trust across the Taiwan Strait and "clearly runs counter to concurrent positive trends in cross-Strait relations." In a statement April 6 before the Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific of the House, Schriver said the legislation raises questions regarding how China will respond to what it perceives as "ongoing efforts in Taiwan to define itself with a separate identity, including steps that fall short of declaring de jure independence." According to Schriver, the U.S. government is particularly concerned about an article in the legislation that states: "In the event that the 'Taiwan independence' secessionist forces should act under any name or by any means to cause the fact of Taiwan's secession from China, or that major incidents entailing Taiwan's secession from China should occur, or that possibilities for a peaceful reunification should be completely exhausted, the state shall employ non-peaceful means and other necessary measures to protect China's sovereignty and territorial integrity." Although Beijing claims that this article merely restates long-standing policy, Schriver told the committee, U.S. government officials have engaged in vigorous efforts to express concern to Chinese leaders and have urged the Chinese government to take advantage of "warming trends" in the cross-Strait relationship to encourage peaceful dialogue. Schriver noted the recent, temporary implementation during the Chinese New Year of direct charter flights between Taiwan and the mainland -- the first since 1949 -- and the mainland delegation that traveled to Taiwan for the funeral of former Straits Exchange Foundation Chairman Ku Chen-foo. "We strongly encourage such steps and welcome any measures that promote greater confidence," he said. Despite concerns over China's new anti-secession legislation, the United States remains committed to its longstanding "one China policy," Schriver said, which, he added, has helped both sides to prosper and contributes to the peace. "We are making clear that we do not support Taiwan independence, oppose unilateral changes by either side to the status quo -- particularly with respect to the use of force -- and abide by our commitments under the joint communiqu? and the Taiwan Relations Act," he said. The three joint Sino-U.S. communiqu?, signed between 1972 and 1982, and the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979 are repeatedly cited as the basis for the relationship between the United States and China. "Although passage of the 'anti-secession' law has brought a new challenge to our efforts to promote a peaceful resolution to cross-Strait differences, we do not believe it requires a shift in our approach to the issue," Schriver said. (Source: U.S. Official Policy Materials on US-China Relations on behalf of USINFO, Apr. 7, 2005).