Taiwan test-fires missile capable of attacking rival China

Asia World News ^ | Tue, 06 Mar 2007 | DPA

[IrishMike]

Taipei - Taiwan has test-fired missiles capable of hitting major economic centres of rival China, local news media reported Tuesday, amid a new tension across the Taiwan Strait. Military-funded Chungshan Institute of Science and Technology test-fired the local-made Hsiung Feng 2E, which has a range of up to 1,000 kilometres, last month, Taipei-based United Daily News reported.

Quoting an unnamed institute source, the paper said the missile is able to hit Hong Kong, Shenzhen and Shanghai - the economic centres of China in the south and central parts of the mainland.

It said President Chen Shui-bian inspected the test-firing along with Defence Minister Lee Jye.

The defence ministry, however, declined to comment on the report. The institute also refused to confirm whether it had test-fired the missile or not.

But parliamentarians of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) said it explained why Chen was bold enough to say that Taiwan must declare independence.

They said the fact that Taiwan is capable of producing missiles that can threaten China has given Chen a strong boost.

Taiwan and China split at the end of a civil war in 1949, but Beijing still regards the island an integral part of the mainland. It has repeatedly warned that if Taiwan ever declares independence officially, it will send forces to attack the island.

............ The comments prompted Beijing to lash out at Chen. Washington, an informal ally of Taiwan and arms supplier for the island, also demanded that Chen keep his previous promises to refrain from further escalating cross-strait tensions.

David Wang, spokesman of Taiwan's foreign ministry, Tuesday said he had no idea about the test-fire issue, but stressed Taiwan must have adequate defence capability to safeguard itself in the face of rapid military buildup of China.

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

I wonder how long it would take Taiwan to go nuclear. Two years, tops?

[oakcon]

Good for Taiwan, building up like this should show China they're not gonna be pushed around.

[Lurker]

I wonder how long it would take Taiwan to go nuclear. Two years, tops?

About 45 minutes.

L

[Lurker]

FYI

[LIConFem]

Is that with or without our assistance?

[Jedi Master Pikachu]

Feisty of them to put the PRC a little more on the defensive.

[Moonman62]

Peace through strength.

[MARKUSPRIME]

Good now give them some nuclear warheads to mount on them to make the chicoms think twice.

[Jedi Master Pikachu]

The United States should sell them at least a few missiles capable of hitting either Beijing or all of mainland China.

The United States is already responsible for their not developing nuclear weapons.

[Jedi Master Pikachu]

"Washington, an informal ally of Taiwan and arms supplier for the island, also demanded that Chen keep his previous promises to refrain from further escalating cross-strait tensions."

If Taiwan wants independence, or at least non-Communist rule, it has to make its move soon. The PRC is getting stronger and stronger by the day. They are building a blue water navy. Furthermore, if it is not waning, the United States' global power is stagnating, and this country cannot be relied upon to enter a war with the PRC over Taiwan. Such a Sino-American war would be even less probable in the next few decades.

[MrEdd]

I wonder how long it would take Taiwan to go nuclear. Two years, tops?

There were very persistant romours around Kadena Airbase in the early 1980s that Tiawan was now nuclear. I think the only thing they didn't already have was a delivery system.

[Jedi Master Pikachu]

The estimated time to make a nuclear weapon for Japan and South Korea is a month. Guessing the it would be about the same for Taiwan. However, Taiwan would have to get access to uranium ore, and they might not have any nuclear reactors on their soil.

[Jedi Master Pikachu]

Taiwan has three nuclear reactors, according to Wikipedia.

[wolfcreek]

I have a Taiwanese friend who told me the US leased reactors to Taiwan back in the 70's or 80's. They, like Iran today, were to be use for the production of energy. The CIA got wind to a couple of researchers had stepped over the line and started trying enrichment. The CIA and the State Dept. had those reactors and the enrichment program halted.

[Jedi Master Pikachu]

Appreciated.

Leftist even back then, heh?

[b4its2late]

They may be already.....

[C210N]

I wonder how long it would take Taiwan to go nuclear. Two years, tops?

About 45 minutes.

About 44 minutes of that time is for the paperwork.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Bet they are already.

[TheCipher]

About 44 minutes of that time is for the paperwork.

LOL !!! Isn't that the truth !!! :-)