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Cross-strait dialogue reduces risk of conflicts: Pentagon

ROC Central News Agency

Washington, June 25 (CNA) The recent resumption of dialogue between Taiwan and China has helped lower the possibility of military conflicts in the Taiwan Strait, a Pentagon official said Wednesday.

James Shinn, assistant secretary of defense for Asian and Pacific security affairs, said the fact that the cross-strait military balance continues to tilt in favor of China has posed increased dangers in the region.

However, the likelihood of military clashes has dropped in the wake of the contact and dialogue that has been taking place between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait since the election of Taiwan's President Ma Ying-jeou, Shinn said.

Shinn said he could not jump to any conclusions as to how cross-strait relations would develop, but said he thinks the situation has changed.

Shinn made the remarks while testifying before the House Armed Services Committee.

In a written statement, Shinn said many of China's military modernization developments are relevant to a Taiwan contingency.

"While we see opportunities on the horizon or a near-term reduction in cross-strait tension and we encourage both sides to take advantage of them, there is much more that Beijing can do to support reducing cross-strait tension, demonstrate flexibility with respect to Taiwan's international space and to reduce the threat to Taiwan presented by the People's Liberation Army's sustained military build-up opposite the island," Shinn said.

Shinn said the United States will watch closely for signs of steps by China to shift that balance further and will encourage Beijing to work with Taiwan on more positive actions to reduce tensions.

He noted that China has at least 10 types of ballistic missiles deployed or in development, including over 1,000 short-range ballistic missiles deployed at garrisons opposite Taiwan.

Also, China is establishing new missile bases outfitted with conventional, theater-range missiles that could support a variety of contingencies across China's periphery, including maritime anti-access, with a new anti-ship ballistic missile, according to Shinn. (By Chiehyu Lin and Y.F. Low) ENDITEM /pc