Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

MILITARY DRILLS TO GO ON DESPITE BEIJING ANTI-SECESSION LAW:SPOKESMAN

ROC Central News Agency

2005-03-08 15:55:25

    Taipei, March 8 (CNA) Taiwan troops remain combat-ready and will start their annual maneuvers as scheduled despite Beijing's proposed "anti-secession law," Ministry of National Defense (MND) spokesman Liu Chih-chien said Tuesday.

    Liu said that the military will begin its annual drills, including the "Hankuang" live-fire exercise, according to a timetable worked out a year ago regardless of the proposed law, which is expected to be enacted next week.

    Saying that the Republic of China's military training and deployments have nothing to do with the proposed law, Liu added that the defense ministry will also closely monitor Beijing's military action following the enactment of the controversial law.

    The National People's Congress, Beijing's parliament which opened its 10th session last Saturday, is expected to pass "anti-secession" legislation against any moves by Taiwan toward independence in the middle of next week.

(By Flor Wang)

ENDITEM/mw