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China's goodwill does not mean lasting peace: defense minister

ROC Central News Agency

2008-06-04 18:16:47

    Taipei, June 4 (CNA) Minister of National Defense Chen Chao-min said Wednesday that goodwill gestures by China do not mean lasting peace across the Taiwan Strait and that Taiwan's defense buildup will have to continue as scheduled. "Defense buildup is still necessary, because it is the basic (action we must take) to brace for possible wars," Chen said.

    Chen made the remarks at a legislative committee meeting when opposition Democratic Progressive Party lawmaker Tsai Huang-liang expressed concern that ruling Kuomintang (KMT) Chairman Wu Poh-hsiung's recent comments after returning from a landmark visit to China could undermine the morale of Taiwan's military.

    Tsai was referring to Wu, who after returning from his historic meeting with Communist Party of China General Secretary and Chinese President Hu Jintao on May 28, told President Ma Ying-jeou last Saturday that he "felt" that China, greatly appreciated Taiwan's outpouring of sympathy and donations for victims of the Sichuan earthquake in southwestern China, and was unlikely to launch missiles at Taiwan.

    Tsai asked Chen to condemn Wu for his comments, saying such remarks would lead Taiwan's military and civilians to let down their guard.

    But Chen argued that Taiwan is a pluralistic society, and refused to comment on Wu's remarks, saying only that the military will maintain strictly neutral.

    Chen said that if Beijing agrees not to launch missiles, the military would see that as a goodwill gesture, and would welcome it, but would not take it to mean lasting peace.

    Asked by KMT legislator Fu Kun-chi how Taiwan will respond if Beijing withdrew its hundreds of missiles deployed on its coastal provinces aimed at Taiwan, Chen said that if China indeed withdrew the missiles, then "the ministry will make adjustments on military procurement and research and development based on the actual situation."

    China has been stepping up the number of its missiles targeted at Taiwan over the years and has threatened to use force against the self-ruled island, which split from the mainland after a civil war ended in 1949, if it declares formal independence.

(By Lilian Wu)

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