AI
Chinese missiles believed to be capable of hitting U.S. military bases in Okinawa, Japan.
The senior Pentagon official acknowledged China's near-term focus is Taiwan, where the re-election of President Chen Shui-bian has heightened Beijing's fears that the self-governing island may declare independence.
But "there is something much broader and more fundamental going on here," he said.
China is pursuing a "comprehensive, well-planned, well-executed transformation" of all sectors -- including weapons, tactics, doctrine and training -- and could be a world class military force in 10 to 15 years, the official said.
#msg-3201856
This is why, in my opinion, the United States has urged Japan to rethink its collective defense ban.
The Japanese government should modify its interpretation of the country's constitutional right to collective self-defense to allow it to share information with the United States over the operation of missile defense systems, a U.S. Defense Department official said on condition of anonymity Friday.
The official told reporters that the threats faced by Japan today differ from those faced when the Japanese government decided to prohibit exercising its right to collective self-defense. The short flight time of missiles aimed at Japan would mean there is little time for decision-making, he said.
#msg-2705842
China defends huge military buildup
PRC blasts United States for deteriorating cross-strait situation, making 'irresponsible' comments to Taiwan
2004-06-01 / Agence France-Presse /
China defended yesterday its aggressive military build-up to prevent Taiwan seeking independence and blamed the United States for the deteriorating state of cross-Strait ties.
A commentary by the official Xinhua news agency lashed out at the United States for criticizing China for developing a variety of "credible military options" to prevent Taiwan from achieving independence.
The U.S. Department of Defense had also warned in a new report that China was finding ways to discourage the United States from coming to the island's aid in event of a conflict with the People's Republic of China.
"Just because a handful of people inside and outside the island are still seeking 'Taiwan independence,' China cannot make a commitment to renouncing the use of force for realizing national reunification and has had to make necessary and limited military deployment," the Xinhua commentary said.
China has approximately 500 short-range ballistic missiles deployed in Nanjing military district and pointed at Taiwan.
The U.S. report said that if equipped with adequate guidance systems, the missiles could destroy key Taiwanese leadership facilities, military bases and communication and transportation nodes with minimal advanced warning. Some of these weapons are believed to be capable of hitting U.S. military bases in Okinawa, Japan.
Ground forces targeting Taiwan include three army groups deployed in Nanjing that have a plethora of special operations units.
China is also investing in new military aircraft, said the report, which was an annual assessment of China's capabilities.
Xinhua said, "If the United States really wants to help maintain peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits, it should not have made irresponsible remarks on China's military deployment and used it as an excuse to keep selling advanced weapons to Taiwan."
The United States has no diplomatic ties with Taiwan but is its largest arms supplier and has vowed to defend the island if it is attacked.
Xinhua argued that rather than China's missile build-up, it was Washington's arms sales that had pushed the Taiwan Straits to the "brink of danger."
"Washington argues that the purpose of selling weapons to Taiwan is to assure Taiwan authorities that they could conduct dialogues with the mainland in 'a safer position,'" said Xinhua.
"But due to the support and connivance of the United States, Taiwan authorities have gone further down the road toward 'independence' and the United States is responsible for the current worsening situation across the Taiwan Straits."
While President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁), has taken a more conciliatory stance since winning a new four-year term in March, Beijing has maintained its rhetoric.
Irked by a recent U.S. decision to grant a transit visa to Taiwan Vice President Annette Lu (呂秀蓮), the Xinhua commentary also called on Washington to "end official-style exchanges with the island in any form immediately."
"Any attempt to separate Taiwan from China is doomed to fail and Taiwan will eventually be reunited with its motherland," said Xinhua.
"The United States should sober-mindedly understand this."
The broadside was delivered barely a day after President Hu Jintao (胡錦濤) told his U.S. counterpart George W. Bush in a telephone conversation to "not send wrong signals to the Taiwan authorities."
During the talks, Bush said the United States would adhere to the "One China" policy and oppose any independence moves by Taiwan, Chinese media reported.
http://www.etaiwannews.com/Taiwan/2004/06/01/1086054561.htm
The senior Pentagon official acknowledged China's near-term focus is Taiwan, where the re-election of President Chen Shui-bian has heightened Beijing's fears that the self-governing island may declare independence.
But "there is something much broader and more fundamental going on here," he said.
China is pursuing a "comprehensive, well-planned, well-executed transformation" of all sectors -- including weapons, tactics, doctrine and training -- and could be a world class military force in 10 to 15 years, the official said.
#msg-3201856
This is why, in my opinion, the United States has urged Japan to rethink its collective defense ban.
The Japanese government should modify its interpretation of the country's constitutional right to collective self-defense to allow it to share information with the United States over the operation of missile defense systems, a U.S. Defense Department official said on condition of anonymity Friday.
The official told reporters that the threats faced by Japan today differ from those faced when the Japanese government decided to prohibit exercising its right to collective self-defense. The short flight time of missiles aimed at Japan would mean there is little time for decision-making, he said.
#msg-2705842
China defends huge military buildup
PRC blasts United States for deteriorating cross-strait situation, making 'irresponsible' comments to Taiwan
2004-06-01 / Agence France-Presse /
China defended yesterday its aggressive military build-up to prevent Taiwan seeking independence and blamed the United States for the deteriorating state of cross-Strait ties.
A commentary by the official Xinhua news agency lashed out at the United States for criticizing China for developing a variety of "credible military options" to prevent Taiwan from achieving independence.
The U.S. Department of Defense had also warned in a new report that China was finding ways to discourage the United States from coming to the island's aid in event of a conflict with the People's Republic of China.
"Just because a handful of people inside and outside the island are still seeking 'Taiwan independence,' China cannot make a commitment to renouncing the use of force for realizing national reunification and has had to make necessary and limited military deployment," the Xinhua commentary said.
China has approximately 500 short-range ballistic missiles deployed in Nanjing military district and pointed at Taiwan.
The U.S. report said that if equipped with adequate guidance systems, the missiles could destroy key Taiwanese leadership facilities, military bases and communication and transportation nodes with minimal advanced warning. Some of these weapons are believed to be capable of hitting U.S. military bases in Okinawa, Japan.
Ground forces targeting Taiwan include three army groups deployed in Nanjing that have a plethora of special operations units.
China is also investing in new military aircraft, said the report, which was an annual assessment of China's capabilities.
Xinhua said, "If the United States really wants to help maintain peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits, it should not have made irresponsible remarks on China's military deployment and used it as an excuse to keep selling advanced weapons to Taiwan."
The United States has no diplomatic ties with Taiwan but is its largest arms supplier and has vowed to defend the island if it is attacked.
Xinhua argued that rather than China's missile build-up, it was Washington's arms sales that had pushed the Taiwan Straits to the "brink of danger."
"Washington argues that the purpose of selling weapons to Taiwan is to assure Taiwan authorities that they could conduct dialogues with the mainland in 'a safer position,'" said Xinhua.
"But due to the support and connivance of the United States, Taiwan authorities have gone further down the road toward 'independence' and the United States is responsible for the current worsening situation across the Taiwan Straits."
While President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁), has taken a more conciliatory stance since winning a new four-year term in March, Beijing has maintained its rhetoric.
Irked by a recent U.S. decision to grant a transit visa to Taiwan Vice President Annette Lu (呂秀蓮), the Xinhua commentary also called on Washington to "end official-style exchanges with the island in any form immediately."
"Any attempt to separate Taiwan from China is doomed to fail and Taiwan will eventually be reunited with its motherland," said Xinhua.
"The United States should sober-mindedly understand this."
The broadside was delivered barely a day after President Hu Jintao (胡錦濤) told his U.S. counterpart George W. Bush in a telephone conversation to "not send wrong signals to the Taiwan authorities."
During the talks, Bush said the United States would adhere to the "One China" policy and oppose any independence moves by Taiwan, Chinese media reported.
http://www.etaiwannews.com/Taiwan/2004/06/01/1086054561.htm
Discover What Traders Are Watching
Explore small cap ideas before they hit the headlines.
