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ROC DEFENSE MINISTRY RELEASES BIENNIAL POLICY REPORT

Jul 23, 2002 19:01 UTC+0800

Taipei, July 23 (CNA) The Ministry of National Defense (MND) unveiled a national defense report Tuesday outlining the Republic of China's new defense policy and military development plans.

MND spokesman Maj. Gen. Huang Suey-sheng told a weekly news conference that this was the sixth time since 1992 that the MND has issued its biennial defense report in line with the government's policy of increasing transparency in military operations and defense administration.

Air Force Deputy Commander-in-Chief Fu Wei-ku told a news conference that the 388-page report covers 35 chapters in seven categories of defense affairs.

Quoting the defense report, Fu said the ROC's new military strategy will be based on the concept of preventive warfare. "We'll focus on building up an elite deterrent force to defend our national security and stability," Fu said, adding that Taiwan's future military build-up will give priority to upgrading the combined services combat capabilities and ensuring supremacy in information and electronic warfare.

Fu further said the military will also devote more energy on integration of weaponry systems of the three branches of service and continue to modernize its arsenal.

The defense report also declared Taiwan's determination to forge a mechanism for cultivating trust and military exchanges across the Taiwan Strait to minimize misjudgment and avoid armed conflict in the Taiwan Strait.

The defense report, or "white paper," warned that in three years, mainland China would be able to pound the island with about 600 missiles. It said Taiwan's military budget is dwindling, while mainland China's defense spending is growing rapidly.

Taiwan keeps a close eye on mainland China's military because Beijing has repeatedly threatened to attack the island, just 160 kilometers (100 miles) off the mainland's southeast coast.

According to the report, mainland China has an arsenal of 500 missiles, and many of them are scattered on bases in the southeastern Jiangxi and Fujian provinces, both of which lie close to Taiwan.

"Missiles deployed in these areas are clearly for potential Taiwan targets, and the number is increasing," the report said. "It is estimated that by 2005, the deployed missiles targeting Taiwan will increase to around 600."

(By Sofia Wu)