The newly enacted Anti-Secession Law reflects Beijing's desire to preserve the status quo in the Taiwan Strait, according to analysts who note the absence of provocative wording in the text.
They also point out that the legislation serves the purpose of distracting public attention from other social issues and will help rally support for the mainland's leadership.
'Solving the Taiwan issue does not require an anti-secession law. The key to its solution should be strength, which the mainland does not have at the moment,' said Chang Ling-chen of National Taiwan University.
She described the legislation as 'highly symbolic'.
Professor Chang said Beijing lacked the necessary will to seek an immediate solution to the Taiwan issue because it had made domestic issues, such as economic development and social stability, its top priorities.
With the absence of specific punitive measures against secessionists, the law was like a toothless tiger and was unlikely to deter the Taiwanese authorities, she said.
'The law will not affect the status quo. The real detonator lies with Taiwan's pro-independence government,' Professor Chang said.