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Kinmen, March 7 (CNA) Defense Minister Tang Fei made an inspection tour the Republic of China's frontline island of Kinmen on Tuesday amid mainland China's new threats of force against Taiwan.

Tang's Kinmen trip was seen a move to cheer up garrison troops' morale as Beijing has toughened its belligerent rhetoric in the run-up to the ROC's March 18 presidential election.

On Feb. 21, Beijing released a white paper on its so-called one-China policy and the Taiwan issue, which says Taiwan would face attacks if it declares independence, is occupied by foreign force or continues to delay indefinitely reunification talks.

Some analysts said the main purposes of Beijing's white paper are to sway Taiwan voters from supporting pro-independence candidates in the island's upcoming presidential election.

Although ROC military authorities said they have so far detected no signs of unusual military movement or activities on the mainland, the country's armed forces have heightened alert in order to maintain social stability and ensure smooth proceeding of the presidential election.

Tang's Kinmen tour was also aimed at understanding the Kinmen County Government's development project for the offshore frontline island, which lies closer to mainland China than to Taiwan.

Tang said during a meeting with Kinmen County Magistrate Chen Shui-tsai that if relations across the Taiwan Strait moves toward a positive direction after the ROC's forthcoming election, the military will adopt a more open policy on construction projects in Kinmen.

Barring unexpected developments, Tang also said, the military is unlikely to deploy more troops in Kinmen.

Tang said there is no difference between the front and the rear in modern warfare as the enemy can now launch its first attack from any point.

Noting that national security remains a major concern, Tang said restrictions on civilian construction projects in Kinmen would be largely eased so long as cross-strait relations make improvement or move in a positive direction after the presidential election.

Tang said the Ministry of National Defense (MND) is working on a plan to raise salaries and fringe benefits for officers and enlisted men stationed in Kinmen. By so doing, the ministry said the MND hopes to help boost Kinmen's economic development through enhancing garrison troops' purchase power.

For his part, Kinmen County Magistrate Chen said the county government hopes that military authorities will lift construction bans on certain off-limits areas, assist in building a wharf and clearing landmines in Shuitou township, and open up the island's southern coastal region for sightseeing.

Tang said the MND will carefully review the county government-proposed development projects. "So long as the projects do not hinder military deployment and mainland China's military threat eases, the ministry will do its utmost to help the county government realize its development goals," the minister promised. (By Sofia Wu)