No unusual Chinese military movements detected ahead of polls: MND
ROC Central News Agency
2008-01-08 21:57:42
Taipei, Jan. 8 (CNA) Taiwan's intelligence units have not detected any unusual movements by China's military ahead of the Jan. 12 legislative elections in Taiwan, a military spokesman said Tuesday.
Speaking with reporters, Ministry of National Defense spokesman Yu Sy-tue said that although the situation remains normal across the Taiwan Strait, the ministry will continue to closely monitor China's military movements and exercises ahead of the upcoming elections.
Yu further said that in the month leading up to the March 22 presidential election, the ministry will hold a weekly press conference to inform the public of the latest developments concerning the People's Liberation Army's movements and exercises.
On a separate occasion, former Vice Defense Minister Lin Chon-pin said that China has adopted a policy of self-restraint to avoid provoking the Taiwan people, particularly ahead of any major election in Taiwan.
Lin, who is now chief executive of the Foundation on International and Cross-Strait Studies, added that China has adopted a new strategy, using diplomatic and economic means to stifle Taiwan. To this end, Beijing has ceased using military intimidation to try to influence public sentiment in Taiwan. At the same time, it has tried to avoid arousing additional hatred of the Beijing government among the Taiwanese by pushing major countries to oppose Taiwan's planned U.N. bid referendum rather than directly expressing opposition by itself.
(By Steve Bercic)
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