01/05/2009, 00.00
TAIWAN - CHINA
Send to a friend

Taipei skeptical about rumors of Chinese missile dismantling

Vague statements according to which Beijing is ready to reduce the number of missiles aimed at the island are getting a cold reception from Taiwan's defense ministry. The island will continue to strengthen its defenses, although economic relations are improving thanks to direct daily contact by air, sea, and mail.

Taipei (AsiaNews/Agencies) - Taiwan will continue to strengthen its military power, although there are rumors that Beijing is ready to reduce the number of missiles aimed against the island.

The latest issue of the Hong Kong weekly Yazhou Zhoukan reports the statement of an anonymous source in China, according to whom the Beijing authorities could reduce the number of missiles aimed at Taiwan, despite criticisms on the part of the Chinese army.

The statement was released at a time when tensions between the two sides of the strait are easing, since Ma Ying-jeou became president of Taiwan last May.

Chinese president Hu Jintao, in a speech last week, praised China's "compatriots in Taiwan," and proposed military collaboration, precisely in order to establish greater mutual trust.

This vague statement has been received with skepticism by Taiwan's defense ministry. Lisa Chi, a spokesperson for the ministry, said that "it would be our pleasure to see [the reduction of missiles], if realized." "Even so, such a move would have a greater symbolic implication than a material significance, because it would not take long to redeploy such missiles whenever needed. We'll continue strengthening our arms buildup and combat preparedness," the spokesperson concluded.

According to Taipei's defense ministry, China has about 1,300 missiles aimed against the island, in order to prevent any possible declaration of independence by the "rebel province."

The opposition party, the DPP (Democratic Progressive Party), has also warned against believing the "pacifist" rumors from Beijing.

Last month, Taiwan and China began direct daily contacts by air, sea, and mail, in order to strengthen and integrate their economies.

TAGs
Send to a friend
Printable version
CLOSE X
See also
White House to stop Beijing's "imperialist" policy in the South China Sea
24/01/2017 15:55
U.S. Senators give go ahead for F-16 for Taipei. New missiles in Guangdong
27/05/2011
Aceh rebels reject Jakarta's offer
12/04/2005
Tensions between Seoul and Pyongyang rise as Cold War fears cast a shadow over Korea
12/02/2016 15:14
Direct daily flights between Beijing and Taipei begin
15/12/2008


Newsletter

Subscribe to Asia News updates or change your preferences

Subscribe now
“L’Asia: ecco il nostro comune compito per il terzo millennio!” - Giovanni Paolo II, da “Alzatevi, andiamo”