No unusual PLA troop movements detected ahead of election: MND
ROC Central News Agency
2008-03-04 17:34:32
Taipei, March 4 (CNA) The Ministry of National Defense said Tuesday that no unusual People's Liberation Army (PLA) movements have been detected ahead of the March 22 presidential election in Taiwan.
Speaking at a press briefing, ministry spokesman Chih Yu-lan said that according to the latest information from Taiwan's intelligence units, the military situation across the Taiwan Strait remains normal.
Chih said that China has maintained its military deployments against Taiwan, including some 700 warplanes, approximately 1,300 missiles, and about 60,000 ground troops, with no irregular activities having been detected.
Since the start of the year, the ministry has held weekly news conferences to inform the public of the latest developments concerning the PLA's movements and exercises.
Observers have noted that Beijing has changed its tactics following the failure of its strategy of using military intimidation ahead of elections in Taiwan to try to influence the outcome of the polls.
Chih said that Beijing has continued in recent months to try to manipulate international public sentiment in an attempt to influence the political situation in Taiwan.
She further said that the ministry will continue to monitor China's political and military moves ahead of the presidential election and to strengthen its contingency response measures.
(By Steve Bercic)
enditem/c.j.
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