SPY RING BUST REPORT DISMISSED AS ILL-MOTIVATED
2003-12-22 21:32:52
Taipei, Dec. 22 (CNA) Government authorities dismissed as an "ill-motivated rumor" a Hong Kong press report Monday that mainland China had uncovered a huge Taiwan spy ring following the revelation by President Chen Shui-bian of the exact number of mainland Chinese ballistic missiles aimed at locations in Taiwan.
Presidential Office spokesman James Huang said the report was unfounded and a politically motivated attempt to deal a blow to Chen.
The Hong Kong-based Ming Pao daily reported Monday that mainland intelligence authorities had arrested 36 people, including 21 Taiwanese and 15 mainlanders, in mid-December, describing them as one of the biggest Taiwan spy rings Beijing has cracked in recent years.
According to the paper, mainland security authorities were able to track down the spy ring after Chen detailed the Chinese arsenal aimed at the island in a Nov. 30 campaign rally. "The report is intended to deal a blow to President Chen, " Huang said, adding that some Hong Kong news media often cite unnamed sources to back up their reports for political purposes.
Huang pointed out that Chen had on many occasions mentioned the number and locations of mainland China's missiles pointed at Taiwan long before Nov. 30.
With advanced satellite technology, Huang went on, the mainland's missile deployment can easily be detected and estimated without using traditional intelligence agents.
Meanwhile, officials of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party noted that the Federation of American Scientists has posted detailed information about mainland China's missile deployment at its Website at www.fas.org.
(By Sofia Wu)
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