China Launches Anti-Chen Campaign in Anticipation of March Referendum
February 9, 2004 :: CNN :: News
As the March 20 referendum on whether Taiwan should respond to China’s missile buildup with defensive measures, China has apparently launched an anti-Chen campaign, against the president up for reelection on the same date. Officially, China denies such meddling, but they are sending diplomats to put pressure on the leader. China’s bully tactics seem to have thus far not been unsuccessful, already prompting Chen to water down the referendum language. (Article, Link)
» More stories on: China, Proliferation, Taiwan
Myers: “Very Large” Chinese Missile Buildup a Threat to Taiwan
January 15, 2004 :: Spacewar.com :: News
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Richard Myers did not allow his visit to China to go without rebuking his guest for their “very large” missile buildup within range of Taiwan, and indicated that the United States might assist the island nation defend itself from mainland aggression. An assessment of his condemnation, however, requires one to pay close attention to its timing with recent events. (More »»»)
» Text of Chen’s speech, with revised, more “flexible,” resolution language
» Dec. 3: Nearly 500 Chinese missiles off the coast of Taiwan
» Gen. Bergert: China has made “significant” improvements in ability to strike Taiwan with missiles and by air
» More stories on: Allies, China, Proliferation, Taiwan
Jiang: China Will Prevent Taiwanese Independence—Hints at Force
January 15, 2004 :: China Daily :: News
During the meeting between U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Myers and Chinese Central Military Commission Chairman Jiang Zemin, Jiang emphasized that the Taiwan question is the “core and most sensitive issue in China-U.S. relations,” and went on to say that China “will never tolerate Taiwan independence.” At the same time, Myers indicated that the U.S. would stand by Taiwan and assist it in its capacity to defend itself. China has in recent years continued to escalate a buildup of short range ballistic missiles of the coast of Taiwan. Taiwan is now scheduled to hold a referendum in March about whether, should China continue its threatening actions, Taiwan should increase its missile defenses. (Article, Link)
» Heritage: Tkacik: Not Taiwan resolution, but China’s buildup is cause of instability
» More stories on: China, Taiwan
China’s Laser Weapons Possible Threat to Taiwan
December 22, 2003 :: Taipei Times :: News
China may have a laser weapon, similar in concept to the United States’ air-borne laser (ABL), which they can and may be deploying near Taiwan, in addition to their buildup of short range ballistic missiles.
The Taipei Times cites Taiwanese defense sources that the laser cannon, with a range over 100km—again, comparable to the ABL—has been deployed in Fujian Province facing Taiwan, and that it could be used to disable military command and control systems. One defense official, however, noted that the cannon may only still be in development: “We tend to hope for the best but prepare for the worst. We would rather believe that China has already developed such a weapon and that we should start making preparations as soon as possible.” The Times notes that the United States and Israel have developed laser weapons—the ABL and the Tactical High Energy Laser (THEL)—but these are used as anti-missile defense systems. It is, however, plausible that the Chinese system is designed to have an anti-missile defense capability. (Article, Link)
» June 7, 2000: First THEL intercept
» More stories on: China, Taiwan, Technology
» Missile system details for: Airborne Laser (ABL), Tactical High Energy Laser (THEL)
President Chen: 496 Chinese Missiles Aimed at Taiwan
December 3, 2003 :: Taipei Times :: News
Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian released more detailed information on the location and number of China’s short and medium range ballistic missiles positioned within range of the small island. According to Chen, China has deployed 96 missiles each in Leping and Ganxian of Jiangxi Province, Meizhou of Guangdong Province, as well as 144 in Yongan and 64 in Xianyou of Fujian Province.
These numbers slightly exceed those reported by the recent Department of Defense report, Chinese Military Power, which set the number at 450 and their rate of increase at 75 per year.
Chen’s release of information and warning of China’s “the ongoing threat to Taiwan” comes after a stern U.S. warning to Taiwan not to hold a referendum declaring independence from mainland Communist China. Some of Chen’s political opponents suggest the information release is being calculated to support such a referendum on sovereignty with the next presidential election, on March 20, 2004. (Article, Link)
» Center for Security Policy: U.S. Policy Shift?
» DOD Report on Chinese Military Power
» Bush April 25, 2001: U.S. will do “whatever it takes” to defend Taiwan
» China threatens Taiwan over referendum
» More stories on: China, Proliferation, Taiwan
CIA Report on WMDs and Ballistic Missile Proliferation
November 10, 2003 :: CIA :: News
The CIA’s most recent intelligence estimate to Congress outlines the state of weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile capabilities in a number of “countries of concern,” as well as continued proliferation by Russia, China, and North Korea. (More »»»)
» More stories on: China, Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Pakistan, Russia
EU, China to Cooperate on Galileo Satellites
September 21, 2003 :: Space.com :: News
The European Union and China will jointly finance the European Galileo satellite-navigation system, according to an annoucement by the European Commission on September 19.
The 30-satellite constellation, tentatively slated to be deployed by 2008, would resemble the American “GPS” system.
Just as the United States is heavily dependent upon its GPS system for modern warfare, so the Galileo system could have significant strategic advantages for China. (Article, Link)
» More stories on: China, Sea-Based Systems
Russia Aided North Korean Export Missiles
September 20, 2003 :: Geostrategy-Direct :: News
Russia aided North Korea’s Taepo’ Dong missile development, reports Geostrategy-Direct. The Taepo-Dong may well have been a copy of the Russian SS-N-6, or R-27. Iran is the most likely client to purchase Taepo’ Dongs, when they become available. China has also been using North Korea as a front to export missiles. “Although China recently issued updated regulations on the export of chemical and biological agents, as well as missile-related export controls, full implementation and effective enforcement are still lacking,” Assistant Secretary of State James Kelly told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee last week. “We continue to see disturbing cases of proliferation activities by certain Chinese firms.” (Article, Link)
» More stories on: China, North Korea, Russia
» Missile details: SS-N-17, Tien Chi, Tien Ma 1
U.S.-India Commission Issues Joint Statement
August 8, 2003 :: Department of Defense :: News
A joint commission between the United States and India today issued a joing statement on military cooperation which included moving forward on missile defense alliances. India, which borders its natural geopolitical enemy China with a large arsenal of ballistic missiles, will be invited to two upcoming BMD conferences in Japan and Germany, during June 2003 and July 2004, respectively.
Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Douglas Feith led the U.S. panel. Feith was the co-author of a famous 1996 legal memorandum on the lapsing of the ABM Treaty following the collapse of the Soviet Union. (Article, Link)
» More stories on: Allies, China, India
DOD Report on Chinese Military Power
July 30, 2003 :: Department of Defense :: Analysis
The Department of Defense released a report on Chinese Military Power, which details on the Chinese military buildups and overall “grand strategy.” In addition to an increase in number of short range missiles off the coast of Taiwan from 350 to 450, the rate of increase has been upgraded from an estimated 50 to 75 per year. While the Chinese would likely prefer to buy out Taiwan peacefully (as it did with the Hong Kong transfer in 1996), they are pursuing “credible military options” that would include keeping the U.S. Pacific forces at bay while pursuing a quick collapse by Taipei. The report goes on to consider China’s grand strategy in the Pacific generally. (Article, Link)
» DOD AFPS Summary of Report
» More stories on: China
