Taiwan says China using "peaceful rise" as smokescreen for invasion
TAIPEI (AFP) Nov 01, 2004 Taiwan Vice President Annettee Lu said Monday that rival China is preparing to invade the island while using the theory of "peaceful rise" as a cover.
"The Chinese communists are releasing 'peaceful rise' as a smokescreen. What they are doing is to strengthen their combat-preparedness," Lu said while speaking at the opening of a defense industry seminar.
She said China's defense budget was second highest in the world at 2.2 trillion Taiwan dollars (66.38 billion US), next only to the United States. Taiwan's military spending accounted for one ninth of that amount.
China plans to add up to three guided missile destroyers each year and by 2010 its navy is expected to have 24 such destroyers, she said.
Lu said China's new electronic surveillance vessels had scouted much of the Indian Ocean and the Pacific, particularly waters off Taiwan.
"Obviously, the Chinese communists are prepared to engage in a limited high-tech war," she said.
Foremost is the threat from hundreds of Chinese ballistic missiles targeting Taiwan, Lu warned. Taiwanese officials estimate there will be 800 by the end of 2006.
Taiwan is locked in a heated debate on whether it should spend 18 billion US dollars on a special defense budget.
The cabinet on June 2 approved the budget to buy weaponry from the United States, including eight conventional submarines, a modified version of the Patriot anti-missile system and a fleet of 12 P-3C anti-submarine aircraft. It needs final approval by parliament.
Critics say the hefty spending could further provoke China. Others say the government would be forced to incur more debt or cut social welfare and education budgets.
Tensions between Taiwan and China have been growing following the re-election of President Chen Shui-bian, from the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party.
China claims Taiwan as its territory and has threatened to invade the island should it formally declare independence.
China's leaders have coined the term "peaceful rise" to reassure neighbouring states that they are not under threat from its growing military and economic might.
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