No unusual movement by Chinese military forces detected: MND
ROC Central News Agency
2008-02-19 14:34:30
Taipei, Feb. 19 (CNA) No unusual movement by Chinese military forces has been detected amid the heat of presidential campaign in Taiwan, a Ministry of National Defense (MND) official said Tuesday at a news conference Tuesday.
Wang Cheng-hsiao, an MND intelligence official, made the remarks when he reported on China's possible military movement ahead of Taiwan's March 22 presidential election.
He said that Chinese military personnel were involved in snowstorm relief and defense readiness operations during the Chinese New Year holiday and engaged in routine basic training afterward.
Wang said that China has deployed around 1,300 missiles in its southeastern coastal provinces opposite Taiwan, with their range covering the island. "No unusual movement of its 700-odd fighters, 60,000 ground forces and approximately 90 vessels has been detected so far," he said, adding that "the military will continue to monitor the situation closely."
Wang noted that the number of Chinese sea and aerial operations were drastically decreased due to inclement weather conditions over the Chinese New Year holiday.
There were over 180 charter flights between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait during the Chinese New Year holiday, he added.
(By Lilian Wu)
enditem /c.j.
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