Posted on 07/15/2005 9:24:41 PM PDT by Righty_McRight
BEIJING (AFP) - China refused to retract statements made by a leading general that it would use nuclear weapons to repulse a US military intervention over Taiwan despite Washington's criticism of the remarks.
"We will never tolerate 'Taiwan Independence', neither will we allow anybody with any means to separate Taiwan from the motherland," a foreign ministry spokesman was quoted by the official Xinhua news agency as saying.
"We hope the United States will fulfill its commitments (on Taiwan) with concrete actions and join efforts with China to maintain the peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits."
The spokesman was commenting on statements made this week by General Zhu Chenghu, dean of China's National Defense University, who said China could launch a nuclear attack on "hundreds" of US cities if Washington interfered militarily in the Taiwan issue.
"If the Americans draw their missiles and position-guided ammunition on to the target zone on China's territory, I think we will have to respond with nuclear weapons," Zhu.
His comments were reported by the Financial Times and the Asian Wall Street Journal, which attended a briefing with the general organised by a private Hong Kong organisation, the Better Hong Kong Foundation.
"If the Americans are determined to interfere (then) we will be determined to respond," said Zhu.
"We ... will prepare ourselves for the destruction of all of the cities east of Xian. Of course the Americans will have to be prepared that hundreds ... of cities will be destroyed by the Chinese."
US State Department spokesman Sean McCormack on Friday said the remarks attributed to Zhu were "unfortunate" and hoped they did not reflect the views of the Chinese government.
"I haven't seen all the remarks but what I've seen of them, I'll say that they're irresponsible," McCormack told reporters.
China's foreign ministry spokesman said that Zhu's comments reflected his personal views, while refusing to clarify whether such views also represented the views of the government.
However, China was determined to peacefully resolve the Taiwan issue, he said.
China and Taiwan split in 1949 at the end of a civil war but Beijing still claims it as part its territory and has repeatedly threatened to invade if the island formalises its 56-year separation with a declaration of independence.
In March China adopted a law allowing it to use force against any secession moves by Taiwan, triggering concerns in Washington and raising tensions in the region.
China is bluffing. Both side got nukes.
BTTT
I don't think so Tim.
Fine. Then we won't mention that we could turn their entire country into a seething cauldron of radioactive slag within a few days.
I say we be careful with the Chinese. They do not want war, however, they see it as needed if Tiawan ever breaks away offically. Right now, Tiawan is basically a rouge state from China. Like Massasschutes (Spelling issues...lol). But besides that. Status quo is needed right now. Until a "muslim extremist" decides to crash a plane into the People's Congress and kill off all the assine jerks who spew this dirt about nukes and war over some damn island. Sorry, I get heated when people argue over issues that are better left unsolved for the time being.
Flame away.
Yeah, but China would actually use theirs while we were agonizing about why they were mad at us.
Uh...you might want to remember that THEY can do the same to US.
We don't have that anti-missle shield up yet.
I think this was already posted earlier today, or maybe yesterday. "Yesterday... All my troubles seemed so far away..."
Lol, I'd say he doesn't understand the concept. OUR missiles will not run out of gas at Xian.
Nonsense. Where did you go to school?
And how exactly do they suppose they're going to rebuild their economy after the war, with half their biggest market glowing in the dark, and the survivors (assuming they have ready cash in the first place) more likely to urinate on Chicom-made products then to buy them?
Do we know how many nukes china has and how many of those can reach the US? They have a couple pacts with russia so that's a problem. We are not in danger of a ground invasion but russia is. The chinese and the russians have both shown that they are willing to take mass casualties. The most important point is that china can afford to take 300 million casualties, we can't. I don't know if they can inflict that damage on us.
I'd be more afraid of all the damned chicoms collectively bending over and aiming their Schumers at us and letting go with Scezhuan specials then I would be of their nukes. Junk and inaccurate at this point.
I don't disagree. In the end, we will have too substantial a trading relationship to war with China. At least for a 5-10 decades.
Time to start calling the Chinese emabassies and consulates and order take out...
"Yes, I would like an order of Kung Pao Chicken, a Genernal Moa roasted nuts, and streamed rice... the address is 1600 Pennsylvania Blvd."
I we all did this it would be hilarious...
"We hope the United States will fulfill its commitments (on Taiwan) with concrete actions and join efforts with China to maintain the peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits."
Why do they sound like liberals? Accuse the other side of what they said they would do?
Oh, that's right... both groups are communist.
It's not at all like Massachusetts.
Read teh actual history of Taiwan. Taiwan has only briefly actually been Chinese territory. It's not theirs and it's not like Alabama deciding they'd be their own country.
Also, one would think an old ally that has become a thriving democratic nation would be deserving of defense against a fascist mega-state that has already engaged in cultural genocide in Tibet.
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