C
Cao Pi
Guest
Jul 19, 2010
2000 missiles against Taiwan
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Beijing's preparations setting Taiwan further back in the military power balance against its political adversary could destroy 90 per cent of the island's infrastructure. -- PHOTO: AFP
TAIPEI - CHINA will have 2,000 missiles aimed at its rival Taiwan by the end of the year, several hundred more than the current number, despite fast-warming trade ties between the two sides, an island defence study said.
Beijing's preparations setting Taiwan further back in the military power balance against its political adversary could destroy 90 per cent of the island's infrastructure, the report published in the Defence Ministry's naval studies periodical said.
The increase from today's estimate of 1,000 to 1,400 missiles could raise tensions after two years of upbeat dialogue between the rivals that has cleared the way for direct civilian flights and a free trade-style deal in June.
'Even though we've signed the trade deal, there won't be any progress on military issues,' Hsu Yung-ming, political science professor at Soochow University. China claims sovereignty over self-ruled Taiwan and has not renounced the use of force to bring the island into its fold.
A new threat to detente between tech-reliant Taiwan and economic powerhouse China, already the island's top export destination, would likely chill financial markets as investors hope to see relations gain momentum. -- REUTERS
