Associated Press
http://www.etaiwannews.com/etn/news_content.php?id=1323907&lang=eng_news
2010-07-20 04:24 PM
Taiwan has begun its annual computer simulation of a Chinese attack, a Taiwanese official said Tuesday, reflecting the island's anxiety over the continuing military threat China poses to it.
The war game comes despite Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou's monthslong efforts to improve ties with Beijing.
Taiwan and China split amid civil war in 1949. Beijing still claims Taiwan as part of its territory and is determined to retake the island, by force if necessary.
Taiwanese officials say China now points more than 1,300 missiles at the island, while a recent defense ministry report suggests the number may grow to about 2,000 this year.
Defense Ministry spokesman Yu Sy-tue said Tuesday the Han Kuang, or "Chinese glory," war game aims to test the readiness of the Taiwanese military.
"We are using the war game to examine the effectiveness of the military in preventing possible mainland invasion," Yu said.
He added the exercise began Monday and will be completed Friday.
Since Ma took office two years ago, he has moved to significantly improve ties with China to reduce cross-strait tensions and boost Taiwan's economy. He has repeatedly urged China to remove missiles pointed at Taiwan, but to little avail. At the same time, he has also pledged to maintain a strong military to protect Taiwan from Chinese threat.
China on track to aim 2,000 missiles at Taiwan: report
Mon Jul 19, 2010 9:39am EDT
http://ca.reuters.com/article/topNews/idCATRE66I13F20100719
TAIPEI (Reuters) - China will have 2,000 missiles aimed at its rival Taiwan by the end of the year, several hundred more than the current number, despite fast-warming trade ties between the two sides, an island defense study said.
Beijing's preparations setting Taiwan further back in the military power balance against its political adversary could destroy 90 percent of the island's infrastructure, the report published in the defense ministry's naval studies periodical said.
The increase from today's estimate of 1,000 to 1,400 missiles could raise tensions after two years of upbeat dialogue between the rivals that has cleared the way for direct civilian flights and a free trade-style deal in June.
"Even though we've signed the trade deal, there won't be any progress on military issues," Hsu Yung-ming, political science professor at Soochow University.
China claims sovereignty over self-ruled Taiwan and has not renounced the use of force to bring the island into its fold.
A new threat to detente between tech-reliant Taiwan and economic powerhouse China, already the island's top export destination, would likely chill financial markets as investors hope to see relations gain momentum.
The 2,000 short-range and mid-range missiles aimed at the island just 160 km (99 miles) away at its nearest point would follow from Beijing's broader plans to modernize its military, said Taiwan Deputy Defence Minister Andrew Yang.
"In the process of improving air missile capabilities, that could be the number by the end of the year," Yang told Reuters. "We always show our concern, because we see China still has this intention. They are not reducing missiles."
Taiwan officials have said that China, though keen to unify peacefully with the island by offering economic incentives, must remove missiles aimed at the island before the two sides can discuss a peace accord after six decades of hostilities.
(Reporting by Ralph Jennings; Editing by Ken Wills)
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