Wednesday, 02-Jul-2003 6:30AM Story from AFP

TAIPEI, July 2 (AFP) - Taiwan Wednesday criticized Hong Kong's planned anti-subversion legislation as a backtrack to authoritarian rule and proof of the failure of "one country, two systems."

"The passage of the law will bring Hong Kong back to the martial law era that Taiwan had gone through in old days, when those criticizing current affairs could be charged with treason and sentenced to death or life-long imprisonment," Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian said.

More than 500,000 protestors took to Hong Kong's streets Tuesday in an unprecedented display of public discontent against the bill, which is due to become law on July 9.

Critics say the legislation, being considered under Article 23 of the Basic Law -- Hong Kong's mini-constitution -- could erode political freedom six years after the former British colony returned to Chinese rule.

"This indicates that the 'one country, two systems' adopted by China is totally unfeasible. This also proves the disillusion of the Hong Kong people about the system," Premier Yu Shyi-kun said.

Beijing promised Hong Kong a high degree of autonomy for 50 years under the so-called "one country, two systems" formula when the territory reverted to Chinese rule in 1997.

Beijing, which considers Taiwan part of its territory, has also proposed to the island a similar formula for reunification.

Taiwan has rejected the one-China framework, insisting on its sovereignty.

Yu said Hong Kong's example highlighted the necessity of a referendum law in Taiwan to voice the people's views.

"Attempts to pass the anti-subversion law in Hong Kong has posed a striking contrast to Taiwan's progressive efforts protecting freedom and democracy and moves pushing for referendum legislation," Yu added.

President Chen last week pledged to hold a referendum by the presidential elections on March 20, 2004 to decide whether a controversial half-completed nuclear power plant should be scrapped.

Taiwan's parliament is expected to pass a referendum bill soon to provide a legal basis for the new system, risking angering Beijing.

China, which has claimed sovereignty over Taiwan since the two sides split in 1949 at the end of a civil war, has made it clear it opposes a referendum on any issue, fearing the move could boost pro-independence sentiment on the island.

The pro-independence ruling Democratic Progressive Party has been advocating a plebiscite to decide whether the island should "change the status quo" to reject Beijing's "one country, two systems" proposal.

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