China Authorizes Attack on Taiwan; Warns U.S.

cnn.netscape.cnn.com ^ | March 08 2005 | ELAINE KURTENBACH

[crushelits]

China Steps Up Pressure on Taiwan
BEIJING (AP) - China unveiled a law Tuesday authorizing an attack if Taiwan moves toward formal independence, increasing pressure on the self-ruled island while warning other countries not to interfere. Taiwan denounced the legislation as a ``blank check to invade'' and announced war games aimed at repelling an attack.

The proposed anti-secession law, read out for the first time before the ceremonial National People's Congress, doesn't say what specific actions might invite a Chinese attack.

``If possibilities for a peaceful reunification should be completely exhausted, the state shall employ nonpeaceful means and other necessary measures to protect China's sovereignty and territorial integrity,'' Wang Zhaoguo, deputy chairman of the NPC's Standing Committee, told the nearly 3,000 legislators gathered in the Great Hall of the People.

Beijing claims Taiwan, split from China since 1949, as part of its territory. The communist mainland repeatedly has threatened to invade if Taiwan tries to make its independence permanent, and new law doesn't impose any new conditions or make new threats. But it lays out for the first time legal requirements for military action.

Taiwan's leaders warned that the move could backfire by angering the island's voting public.
Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council, which handles the island's China policy, said the law gives China's military ``a blank check to invade Taiwan'' and ``exposed the Chinese communists' attempt to use force to annex Taiwan and to be a regional power.''

[Jim Noble]

A Chinese battle group, maybe.

There is zero chance-ZERO-that the US will interfere with China's upcoming repossession of Taiwan.

[Brilliant]

If that is their excuse, then they just exposing themselves as fools. Sort of like you've gotta be in teck stocks in the 90s. I remember that a broker called me and asked me if I was in tech stocks. I said, "No, they scare me to death." He laughed. But he who laughs last laughs best.

[church16]

uhhh... I'd beg to differ.

[WestVirginiaRebel]

Look for breaking war news-during coverage of the Michael Jackson trial, of course...

[bikepacker67]

Who was China's largest trade partner prior to WWII? Answer: France.

Trade does not buy peace with tyrants. It only allows them to buy more toys to shoot at our soldiers.

Ummm, correct me if I'm wrong, but China was a VICTIM of the Axis powers (specifically Japan) in WWII. They didn't attack France, or any other Allied forces.

[blam]

"B-2 Spirits to Guam this week."

My first thought too.

[church16]

Also, does any one else in freeper land get a "Loose lips sink ships" message on the post it screen in red letters? Hope I haven't aroused the suspicions of the fine Freeper moderators or let loose anything security wise. I've just noticed it the past few days.

[Jim Noble]

uhhh... I'd beg to differ

Go right ahead.

Ping me when the PLA is in Taipei, and I'll say "I told you so".

[WestVirginiaRebel]

Ditto. Saving face is very important to Asians. Not only the people of Taiwan and China but also the Japanese and South Koreans will be looking to see how we will respond.

[ASA Vet]

did not specify the number of B-2s deploying to Guam

We do know it can't be more than 21.

[jpsb]

Attention Walmart shoppers.

[DannyTN]

The problem is that you have to survive today in order to be here tomorrow.

It's not a fair comparison to tech stocks. Unless perhaps you are a portfolio manager in the 90's. Then in order to survive, you had to play. Or you had to position yourself as a niche portfolio where you wouldn't be compared to the tech gains.

Yes, I agree with you. 10 to 20 years from now when China nationalizes those companies and foriegn owners are left with nothing. It will appear to be a fools strategy. But the individual CEO must play the game today to survive.

Only Government can change the rules so the CEO doesn't have to play.

[SeaBiscuit]

Delicate situation, China maybe just blowing hot air, but then again one never knows for sure if they will act. Will Taiwan call their bluff, if they do will China invade, will we back them if they do... Can China be mollified by allowing them to save face in some way... Can Taiwan negotiate some mutual alternative... I guess time will tell.

[ASA Vet]

NO, you're one of the few who get that red message.

You're being watched by the FR Security Officer.

[musical_airman]

And where is the UN on this one? Oh wait, ask a stupid question.....you know the rest.......

[church16]

If I ping you about that it will mostly likely be from FL250 overhead, staging out of Korea.... and I don't think it'll ever happen. The PLA will have to invent teleportation before they take Taiwan. The Taiwan straits are protected by distance, lack of amphibs on the PLA's part, and the WHOLE FREAKIN' USN submarine force if needed. It looks easy on paper, but a LARGE scale amphib operation of this magnitude, fighting the USN attack boats and the USAF tac/bomber forces is currently impossible. Period. The only prayer would be if the US chose NOT to defend Taiwan.