DEFENSE MINISTER TANG TALKS ABOUT THREAT FROM CHINA
Washington, Aug. 30 (CNA) Republic of China Defense Minister Tang Fei said in an interview that there would be no immediate major threat from mainland China to Taiwan, but "small incidents of a provocative nature from the People's Liberation Army (PLA) will be predictable in the future."
In the interview published in the latest issue of Defense News weekly, the former ROC chief of the General Staff pointed out that "My concern is that if China chooses to take military action (against Taiwan), they will do it step-by-step. But we also believe that using force would be a last resort, because they are concerned about international pressure and economic growth."
Tang indicated that there are many options for Beijing, such as seizure of the offshore islands followed by missile attacks to paralyze transportation systems, as a warning to try to force Taiwan to the negotiating table.
Even if the PRC were to conduct an economic blockade of Taiwan, it would not be beneficial to Beijing since trade between Taiwan and mainland China is very interrelated, he said, adding that it would also bring down foreign investment in mainland China.
Nuclear weapons aside, Tang is confident that the PLA is not able to conduct an all-out invasion of Taiwan. Over the long run, he noted, if mainland China's economy continues to grow, which sustains Beijing's force buildup, they will add increasing military pressure on Taiwan. But in the next few years, the military gap between the two sides will persist "unless our economic situation worsens," stressed the defense chief.
Tang conceded that ballistic missile defense is Taiwan's highest priority now, although the Ministry of National Defense is still coordinating different opinions within the ROC government. "Establishment of a low-tier defense system is feasible (now), and we still have time to evaluate systems for upper-tier defense," he said.
Since Taiwan is a heavily industrialized island, if the PRC used missiles or other conventional forces to attack it will result in severe damage to Taiwan's economy. "Therefore we have to make necessary investments to offset pressures from PLA missiles, cruise missiles and satellite technology," explained the defense minister.
Tang went on to say that Taiwan is pursuing Patriot Advanced Capability (PAC) and Aegis radar systems for lower-tier missile defense. But he added that it is too early to say whether Taiwan will adopt DDG-51 Aegis-class destroyers as well as the anti-missile system.
He told Defense News that the US government has made a commitment to study which type of advanced early warning radar system will be provided to Taiwan. (By Nelson Chung)
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