Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

ROC SHOULD PRESERVE ITS "SECRET WEAPON" WHILE FACING CHINA'S THREAT

ROC Central News Agency

2005-08-02 16:43:35

    Washington, Aug. 1 (CNA) Taiwan should continue to treat the United States as its "secret weapon" as it faces military threats from China, a retired U.S. general who was once stationed in Beijing said Monday.

    Eric A. McVadon, a former military attache of the U.S. Embassy in Beijing, made the remarks while addressing a seminar held by the "U.S.-China Policy Foundation (USCPF) " on the recent development of U.S.-China relations.

    McVadon said that as described by a report released recently by the Pentagon on China's military power, the goals of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) are to prevent Taiwan from moving forward toward independence and to deter Washington from intervening in a potential cross-Taiwan Strait conflict.

    The PLA has attached great importance to the build-up of its deterrence forces against U.S. military interference in the Strait, he also said, adding that the United States must study how to face China as its military strength is improving by leaps and bounds.

    According to the former general, it is really difficult for Taiwan to face China's increasing military strength since the island can hardly defend an attack from the mainland by itself.

    However, he said that Taiwan has a "secret weapon" -- an effective and appropriate intervention of the United States at a time when the island encounters an attack from mainland China.

    Claiming that Taiwan must do whatever it can to retain such a "secret weapon" by handling its relationship with the United States well, McVadon said that U.S. President George W. Bush will be faced with a difficult decision on whether Washington should intervene in a conflict between Taiwan and China if the island is the one who provokes the conflict. "China is working on deterring the United States from intervening in a cross-strait conflict and Taiwan should not help it, " he added.

    Also, the retired general also urged Taiwan to improve its relations with China.

    Two former U.S. ambassadors to China, J. Stapleton Roy and James Sasser, and Chas W. Freeman, a former ranking U.S. official stationed in China, also attended the seminar.

    Pointing out that it is pointless for both sides of the Strait and the United States to go to war, Freeman said that it must make those parties that might be involved in such a war understand the seriousness of the situation and then avoid a war.

    The USCPF is an organization that promotes a greater understanding between American and Chinese policymakers, researchers and government officials.

(By Oliver Lin and P.C. Tang)

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