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TAIWAN HAS NO PLAN TO DEVELOP MEDIUM-RANGE MISSILES: ENVOY

ROC Central News Agency

2007-06-08 14:29:26

    Washington, June 7 (CNA) Taiwan doesn't have any plan to develop medium-range missiles or deploy weapons of mass destruction, the Republic of China representative to the United States said Thursday.

    Nevertheless, Joseph Wu reminded the United States and the international community that the military balance in the Taiwan Strait is tilting in favor of China whose intensified military buildup is threatening regional peace and stability.

    Noting that China is a menace while Taiwan is a defender, Wu said the United States and the international community should demand that China halt its threatening military deployment rather than impose various restrictions on Taiwan.

    Wu made the remarks during the representative office's routine monthly news conference.

    When Taiwan conducted computerized war games as part of its annual Han Kuang military exercise in late April, then-Defense Minister Lee Jye mentioned that "Taiwan should use medium-range missiles."

    However, the United States reportedly disagreed with Lee's views and dissuaded Taiwan from launching such a development project.

    At the news conference, Wu was asked whether the representative office has received any information from U.S. authorities concerning the issue. In response, Wu said that he met with Pentagon officials recently, but neither side brought up the medium-range missile issue. Nonetheless, Wu said he has come to know through indirect channels that U.S. officials have indeed expressed concerns about the reported project.

    Wu said that to the best of his understanding, Taiwan has no plan to develop any medium-range missiles or deploy or stockpile weapons of mass destruction.

    According to Wu, the issue regarding Taiwan's military build-up should be considered from two angles. First of all, he said, Taiwan needs to consult with its strategic partners, particularly the United States, to cope with any possible Taiwan Strait conflicts.

    Second, Wu said, the reasons behind Taiwan's mulling of acquiring some offensive or strategic weapons lies in the fact that China has deployed various types of missiles along its southeastern coastline targeting Taiwan and that many of its new naval weapons, such as new destroyers and submarines, are also targeted at Taiwan.

    Against this backdrop, Wu said it's unfair to unilaterally restrict Taiwan's access to offensive weaponry systems while assisting or turning a blind eye to China's menacing military build-up moves.

    Wu further cited a recent Pentagon report on China's growing military strength and sophistication to stress the gravity of China's military threat to Taiwan.

    According to the annual Pentagon report, Wu said, China's success in destroying a satellite in low-Earth orbit early this year represents a threat to the interests of all space-faring nations. The Pentagon also said the People's Liberation Army is building a greater capacity to launch pre-emptive strikes. It cited as examples China's acquisition of long-endurance submarines, unmanned combat aircraft and additional precision-guided air-to-ground missiles. By 2011, China will have aircraft carriers, the report also said.

    Taiwan has consistently conveyed similar information to U.S. authorities over the past several years, Wu said, adding that hopefully, the United States and the international community will no longer question Taiwan's strategic thinking about its self-defense plans and instead ask China to cease moves that pose a threat to Taiwan.

(By Chiehyu Lin and Sofia Wu)

enditem/Li