DATE=2/21/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=CHINA / MILITARY (L)
NUMBER=2-259391
BYLINE=AMY BICKERS
DATELINE=SINGAPORE
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The head of China's air force said Monday that
while Beijing aims to boost its offensive
capabilities, it would never invade another sovereign
state. Amy Bickers reports from Singapore, where the
general made his remarks.
TEXT: A leading Chinese military official says his
country would never threaten or invade a sovereign
state. General Liu Shunyao, who heads the Chinese air
force, made the comments at a regional aviation show
in Singapore.
He also said that Beijing is aiming to streamline the
armed forces and to enable the military to compete
successfully on a high-tech battlefield.
In his remarks, General Liu did not mention Taiwan,
which China regards as a renegade province, not a
sovereign state. However, he did speak of the need
for territorial integrity and the unity of the Chinese
motherland.
After his speech, reporters asked the general if China
planned to try to intimidate Taiwan during next
month's presidential elections on the island. General
Liu replied that the people of Taiwan should decide
whom they want to elect. During Taiwan's 1996
presidential race, China held war games in the waters
off Taiwan, sending relations between the two rivals
to a low point.
General Liu's statement came on the same day as
Beijing issued a stern warning to Taiwan, saying it
could resort to drastic measures if Taipei continues
to refuse to negotiate the island's reunification with
the mainland. (Signed)
NEB/AM/KL
21-Feb-2000 10:06 AM EDT (21-Feb-2000 1506 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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