Foreign Correspondence

[Amaunet]

Taiwan intends to build "nuclear test ground" or "missile base".


Taiwan is one of seven countries that have active nuclear development programs and may possess nuclear weapons manufacturing capabilities.
#msg-4048680

If you think China is pissed because of Bush’s development of a theatre missile defense system and plans to deploy it in Asia…..this ought to really do it.

According to a Chinese white paper, Beijing sees “new negative developments” in the Asia-Pacific region. These include a strengthening US military presence and bilateral military alliances in China’s neighbourhood, and US development of a theatre missile defence system and plans to deploy it in Asia. “The Taiwan Straits situation is complicated and grim,” the white paper states.
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_18-10-2002_pg3_8
#msg-4383869
#msg-4395071

This is one of the reasons I feel Iran, Brazil and possibly Egypt with the help of China and or Russia might go into nuclear weapons.

-Am


DRAGON SPACE
Taiwan Intends To Build Asia's Largest Missile Base: Report

AFP file photo of Patriot missile battery in Taiwan.
by Xinhua News Agency
Beijing (XNA) Nov 09, 2004
'A large bunker project is being constructed at the Jiupeng missile test-launch ground by the Zhongshan Scientific Research Institute, under Taiwan's "Defense Ministry", and upon completion next year, will be used to deploy a "Patriot III" missile system purchased from the United States', Taiwan newspapers reported October 27.
Jiupeng base, located in Pingdong Province, has been a key site for missile research and testing for the Taiwan army, known also as the "Space Center Houston" of Taiwan. It has drawn wide attention as it is reportedly being developed into Asia's biggest missile base.

Large bunker suspected to be a nuclear test ground


The arms research by the Zhongshan institute has drawn close attention from the United States due to frequent remarks made by the Taiwan authorities for developing offensive arms to be used against the mainland, and You His-kun ("president of the Administrative Yuan") advocating the so-called "balance of terror" approach.

US intelligence satellites recently noticed that a large reinforced concrete structure is being built at Jiupeng base, which belongs to the Zhongshan institute. From its unusual thickness, the Americans guessed it to be a bunker able to resist heavy bombs.

It is suspected the bunker was built for "special purpose", which may relate to Taiwan's alleged research into medium-range missiles, cruise missiles, and even nuclear weapons.

US experts say such a large, impact-proof structure may be used to store high-risk objects such as warheads, missiles, missile-propelling rockets and fuel, or for the final assembly of such dangerous objects, to avoid damaging other facilities, if there were any accidental explosions.

High-ranking military officials from Taiwan made no comment on the ongoing construction, and firmly rejected conjectures of a "nuclear test ground" or "missile base".

A "Space Center Houston" in Taiwan


Formally put into operation in 1975, Jiupeng Base is called one of the "three mysterious units" of the Taiwan military for its potential use for developing nuclear, biological or chemical weapons (the other two are the "Preventive Medicine Research Institute" and the Nuclear Energy Research Institute).

After 1990, the base was expanded to have R&D functions, and it will become a missile base upon the completion of the bunker.

After decades of development, Jiupeng Base is now responsible for all of the the islands high-precision observation, calculation, missile guidance, and research and development; it is the island's sole missile launch and long-range projecting system test site.

As Taiwan military have recently boasted, the whole base is a small "space center", describing its controlling center as no less than a "Space Center Houston" on a smaller scale.

Closely guarding against intelligence satellites of world countries


Due to its secret location and purposes, Jiupeng Base has been kept highly confidential until recent years. Even American and French scientific or intelligence services have been unable to conduct satellite monitoring of the base at all times.

According to a commander of the base, from 10:12a.m. to around 11:00a.m. every morning, many intelligence satellites gather directly above the base, but staff are ordered to "shut down" their computers, and any other devices, to prevent their activities being known.

Source: Xinhua News Agency

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DRAGON SPACE

Taiwan Shows Off Missile Defense Strength, Highlights China's Threat
Wanli, Taiwan (AFP) Oct 22, 2004
Taiwan showed off its missile defense system to the media for the first time Friday, but said it badly needed more advanced weaponry to counter a military threat from rival China.

China says Taiwan is building missile base

China accused Taiwan Monday of expanding a rocket test facility on the island, which state-run media claimed will be the largest missile base in Asia.

The People's Daily, flagship newspaper for the Communist Party and mainland government, said a large hardened bunker is under construction at the Jiupeng missile testing ground. The paper, citing Taiwan news sources, said the facility will deploy Patriot III anti-missile systems purchased from the United States upon completion in 2005.

The base, located in Taiwan's mountainous Pingdong County, is said to be controlled by the Zhongshan Scientific Research Institute under the island's defense ministry.

The People's Daily called it one of three mysterious units of the Taiwan military developing nuclear, biological and chemical weapons. The other two were identified as Preventive Medicine Research Institute and Nuclear Energy Research Institute.

The mainland paper warned the facility carries out covert activities, which American and French spy satellites have been unable to penetrate.

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