February 19, 2004 :: Taipei Times :: News
Taiwan will proceed with the planned purchase of three American made Patriot missile interceptors regardless of the outcome of the March 20 referendum, according to a statement by President Chen. One of the questions voters will be asked is whether or not they think Taiwan should increase its defenses against Chinese missiles if China does not withdraw their buildup near the Strait. Cabinet Spokesman Lin Chia-lung commented that the $15 billion special budget would go towards eight diesel-engine submarines, 12 P-3C Orion aircraft, three PAC-3 missile defense systems, and four Kidd-class destroyers that US President George W. Bush promised to sell to Taipei three years ago.
The Taipei Times refers to a position paper recently made by the Taiwanese Ministry of National Defense. The position paper notes that China continues to refuse to renounce the option of using force to compel the island nation to accept rule by mainland Communist China. The Times cites the position paper as saying that China has over “100 strategic ballistic missiles armed with nuclear warheads that can strike any country in the world.” These are in addition, of course, to the 500 tactical ballistic missiles armed with multiple high explosive warheads off the coast of Taiwan, the number of which is increasing at a rate of about 75 per year: over 600 are estimated to be in place by 2005. Moreover, the paper notes that China’s various missiles are able to be fired from anywhere at sea, around the globe.
(Article)» Update: Mar. 4, 2004: Chinese Parliament calls Taiwan President Chen “Immoral,” warns independence will not be tolerated
» More stories on: China, Proliferation, Taiwan
