China's new missile deployment being monitored: defense minister
ROC Central News Agency
Taipei, Nov. 17 (CNA) Minister of National Defense Chen Chao-min said Monday that whatever new types of missiles or weaponry China is deploying along its coastlines opposite Taiwan, they are all a military threat to the island.
"The Ministry of National Defense is gaining a better understanding of the latest report on China's deployment of cutting-edge YJ-62A guided missiles along its southeast coasts, and we will take necessary measures to deal with this, " Chen said at the Legislative Yuan.
The Mandarin-language United Daily News on Monday quoted "reliable military intelligence sources" as indicating that China's deployment of YJ-62A guided missiles along its southeast coastlines will be completed soon, with the entire Taiwan area and its maritime territory within firing range.
The YJ-62A, a Chinese subsonic anti-ship missile that debuted at the end of 2006, can also be used as a land attack cruise missile and has a maximum range in excess of 400 km, according to the daily.
When asked whether the YJ-62A deployment will affect the hard-earned recent advances in relations across the Taiwan Strait achieved since President Ma Ying-jeou took office in May this year, Chen said that the Chinese military may have started research and development of the advanced weapon systems long before.
"I believe they have always worked to develop their weapons systems. The Defense Ministry will not relent in its efforts to monitor the situation," Chen said.
(By Deborah Kuo)
ENDITEM /pc
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