from CHINA NEWS, 12 August 1999
The independent South China Morning Post newspaper said yesterday China's leadership had decided to use "an appropriate degree of force against Taiwan, possibly including the occupation of an outlying island."
The Post said the Chinese leadership, which has been meeting at the Beidaihe resort, had decided to act "should Taipei authorities refuse to abandon Taiwan President Lee Teng-hui's 'two states theory'."
The Post said top units, including the party's Central Military Commission and the Leading Group on Taiwan, had been empowered to decide on the timing as well as severity of the military action to be taken.
It said this was the preliminary decision of the series of leadership meetings at Beidaihe, due to be largely conclude this week.
The Post added that a Beijing source said on Tuesday the options China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) was considering included the invasion and temporary occupation of an outlying island held by Taipei.
The source was quoted as saying hardliners at the Beidaihe meetings urged that action be taken soon after China's October 1 National Day.
But, the source said, moderate elements argued that Beijing should wait until Taiwan's presidential elections next March and military action should be taken if Taiwan's new president "did not give up Lee's 'splitist' stance."
Tensions have mounted between mainland China and Taiwan, which Beijing views as a renegade province, since Lee said on July 9 that cross straits relations should be on a "special state-to-state" basis.
Beijing viewed this as a move towards independence and has said any declaration of independence would mean military action.
Copyright 1999 China News
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