Taiwan: Anti-secession law unnecessary

TAIPEI, Taiwan, March 15 (UPI) -- The Taiwanese government has called on China to jettison its anti-secession law and remove missiles it says are meant to intimidate the island.

The China Post reported Sunday that the calls were made Saturday as demonstrators protested what they maintain is Beijing's aggressive military stance.

Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou believes the 4-year-old anti-secession law is "unnecessary and unfeasible," a spokesman said.

"The Chinese authorities should carefully consider the feelings of the Taiwan people, and take proper steps to handle this law," presidential spokesman Wang Yu-chi quoted Ma as saying.

The Cabinet's Mainland Affairs Council said Taiwan hopes China can abolish the law and remove hundreds of missiles targeting Taiwan.

Wang said cross-strait relations can only be achieved through goodwill of both sides, saying the process must be bilateral, equal and peaceful, the Taipei Times reported.