Taiwan military: China threat hampers mutual trust

Taiwan military: China threat hampers mutual trust

By DEBBY WU
Associated Press

2009-10-20 03:58 PM

Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense said Tuesday that its efforts to improve trust with China's military are being hampered by the mainland's aggressive stance toward the island, including missiles aimed at Taiwanese targets.
The ministry's statement underscores the difficulties of overcoming 60 years of conflict between the sides, despite President Ma Ying-jeou's efforts to work toward better relations.

Since taking office 17 months ago, Ma has moved rapidly to improve economic ties between the sides. He has also spoken of the desirability of confidence-building measures between the two militaries, and said repeatedly he is in favor of a formal peace accord with Beijing.

Taiwan and China split amid civil war in 1949. Beijing continues to claim the island as part of its territory and threatens to attack if Taiwan moves to formalize its de facto independence.

In its biennial defense report issued Tuesday, the defense ministry said the confidence-building measures have failed to materialize due to unabated Chinese hostility toward Taiwan.

"We have not been able to make progress in the confidence building measures because China has not given up ... the notion of using force against Taiwan," the ministry said.

The ministry identified possible confidence-building measures as the establishment of a hot line between Taipei and Beijing, and signing a pact to limit the deployment of military personnel and equipment against each other.

It said China has continued holding exercises aimed at preparing its troops to invade the island, and that it is working to prevent outside forces from coming to Taiwan's aid if attacked.

This is a clear reference to the U.S., which has left open the possibility of coming to Taiwan's aid in the event of a Chinese attack.

"China has increased the frequency of its military exercises to pressure us since October 2008 when the U.S. government announced the sale of an arms package to us," the report said. "At this stage, (China) has developed the strategic capabilities to stop foreign forces from intervening in cross-strait conflicts."

The U.S. is required by its own laws to provide Taiwan with weapons of a defensive character.

The ministry added that the number of Chinese missiles aimed at Taiwan continues to grow. Taiwanese officials now puts the number at 1,500.

The ministry also referred to the possibility of a formal China peace accord, saying Beijing could use it to "soften (Taiwan's) will to defend itself."

China's Defense Ministry did not immediately respond to faxed questions about the Taiwanese statement.