CHINA UNLIKELY TO USE NUCLEAR WEAPONS AGAINST TAIWAN: MND
ROC Central News Agency
2006-05-30 20:10:48
Taipei. May 30 (CNA) Deterrent is the main purpose of China's military strategy, which means that China is unlikely to use nuclear weapons to attack Taiwan, a senior defense official claimed Tuesday.
Sun Hai-tao, director of the Military Intelligence Center of the general staff of intelligence, made the remarks at a press conference regarding the 2006 China Military Power Report issued by the United States, which says that China could change its "no nuclear first strike" policy and that China could someday become a competitor of the U.S.
As for any possibilities of China attacking Taiwan with nuclear bombs, Ministry of National Defense (MND) spokesman Wu Chi-fang declined to comment on the grounds that it is a hypothetical question.
Sun said that for China, nuclear arms are a threatening tool that it will not easily use in the event of a cross-Taiwan Strait conflict. He added that the MND will keep watching the situation.
Comparing two U.S. defense reports -- from 2005 and 2006 -- Sun noted that the U.S. has expressed deep concern about China's military buildup and its nuclear weapons strategy as the country continues to build more nuclear weapons.
To enhance its nuclear capabilities, Sun said, China has continuously developed aerospace and nuclear technologies.
He noted that some Chinese generals have also claimed China's ability to fight back in the event of a U.S. attack, adding that the development of nuclear weapons continues to be a target of China's military.
According to the updated information, Sun said energy diplomacy has become a major security concern as China tries to control more energy and commodity resources.
(By Timothy J. Hwang)
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