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Taiwan Headlines Wednesday, February 2, 2000

Tang says low-level missile defense needed

Minister of National Defense Tang Fei said Tuesday that Taiwan needs to build its own low-level missile defense to protect itself from mainland China's missile deployments, and denied that he had ever expressed plans for Taiwan to join the U.S.-led Theater Missile Defense (TMD) project.

"TMD is for high-tier air defense. Our own low-tier anti-missile development plan is still be evaluated by the military and specialists from friendly countries which are willing to help us," Tang was quoted by the Taipei Times as saying.

Tang said Taiwan has the ability to defend itself against ballistic missiles, but noted that the cruise missiles currently being developed by the mainland present an even greater danger.

To protect the island from cruise missiles, Tang outlined plans for a land-based anti-missile system using either domestically- or foreign-produced missiles. An early warning system would be a vital part of any such defense system.

Tang said that assembling a sea-based system was beyond Taiwan's ability. In recent weeks it has been reported that the U.S. has agreed to sell the ROC four Aegis-class destroyers, which could form the core of a sea-based defensive shield. However, pressure from mainland China may yet scupper that deal.

According to the Liberty Times, during the press conference Tang stated that Kuomintang presidential candidate Lien Chan's proposal that a "Taiwan Strait Peace Zone" be created between Taiwan and mainland China was an objective for the future, and would not influence current military planning.

Until developments in the Taiwan Strait situation are sufficiently benign to justify reconsideration, the Defense Ministry will go ahead with its plans to streamline the armed forces and enhance the ROC's defensive capabilities.

Discussing plans to create mechanisms to build military trust between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait, Tang said that until the mainland forswears the use of force against Taiwan and ceases using military maneuvers to intimidate the island, it will not be easy to set up such mechanisms.

When asked by reporters about the possibility that the 'three links' (direct postal, trade and transportation to the mainland) would soon become a reality, Tang answered that the Defense Ministry is not the government department responsible for this matter.

The Defense Ministry will carefully analyze the security consequences of permitting the 'three links,' and in the event of links being opened, will make its requirements known to the other branches of the government.