Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

China told to use nukes if Taiwan hits dam
The Straits Times ^ | June 19 2004 | Guo Shiping

Posted on 06/19/2004 8:19:18 AM PDT by hedgetrimmer

Some parliamentary delegates call on Beijing to retract its no-first-use pledge to deter 'terrorist acts' like dam strike

SHENZHEN - China should withdraw its undertaking on no first-use of nuclear weapons should Taiwan try to blow up the Three Gorges Dam, according to some parliamentary delegates.

The call was made by them - as well as some who sit on the country's top political advisory body - in the wake of a recent US Defence Department report which suggested that Taiwan could target the dam in a pre-emptive strike.

Advertisement

That study sparked off a public debate in Taiwan on developing a military offensive strategy.

In response, delegates to China's National People's Congress (NPC), the de facto parliament, and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) wrote to the central government in Beijing, calling for it to revise its no-first-use pledge on nuclear weapons.

Their argument is that the undertaking needs to be changed now that the country is facing hostile forces planning attacks against its densely populated regions and the dam, the world's biggest hydroelectric project.

They feel that such strikes should be viewed as terrorist attacks and that China should use nuclear weapons as a deterrence.

On their side are some American think-tank scholars who have expressed strong objections to any Taiwanese attempt to blow up the dam.

They believe such an attack will bring destruction to Taiwan itself.

The NPC and CPPCC delegates also want Beijing to freeze Taiwanese businessman Hsu Wen-long's assets in China to punish him for his support of Taiwanese independence.

(Excerpt) Read more at straitstimes.asia1.com.sg ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Extended News; Foreign Affairs
KEYWORDS: china; onchina; taiwan; threegorgesdam
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-49 next last
The rhetoric advances to a new level.
1 posted on 06/19/2004 8:19:18 AM PDT by hedgetrimmer
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: demlosers; ICX; anonymous_user; Unam Sanctam; Jeff Head; Reactionary; megatherium; swarthyguy; ...

FYI. More on Three Gorges.


2 posted on 06/19/2004 8:23:24 AM PDT by hedgetrimmer
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: hedgetrimmer

A Beijing-based military expert identified as Mr Yan Dong speculated that the Taiwanese military had planned terrorist attacks 'on state leaders, media organisations, nuclear-power plants and hydroelectric projects on the mainland'.

'That's because splittist forces are increasingly feeling they have no chance to win a cross-strait war, given the mainland's growing economic and military power,' he said.

'It is shameless for the US, which has been urging a global anti-terrorism campaign, to encourage Taipei to promote terrorism.' -- AFP, Reuters

***

This is our 'strategic partner' talking.


3 posted on 06/19/2004 8:28:00 AM PDT by hedgetrimmer
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: hedgetrimmer

How did they come up with this paranoid idea that Taiwan wanted to destroy this DAMN DAM ??


4 posted on 06/19/2004 8:30:16 AM PDT by traumer
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: traumer

Our Pentagon suggested that Taiwan do this if China attacks them. China has been conducting war games this month practicing a cross strait invasion of Taiwan, and understandably, Taiwan is concerned.


5 posted on 06/19/2004 8:33:20 AM PDT by hedgetrimmer
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: hedgetrimmer

But this worry is unrealistic. It would take a nuke to make a dent in this monstrosity !


6 posted on 06/19/2004 8:36:05 AM PDT by traumer
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: traumer

No necessarily. You overestimate the quality of chinese commie labor. Plus they built the dam on geologically questionable turf. A powerful explosion in a weak spot could break it free. Keeping in mind milions of pounds of force are working against the dam already.


7 posted on 06/19/2004 8:38:10 AM PDT by Bogey78O (McDonalds rejected slogan "Billions served....millions if not counting Michael Moore")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: hedgetrimmer

Let me guess. The dam is getting ready to go anyway and China is going to try to take advantage of it.


8 posted on 06/19/2004 8:41:51 AM PDT by Harmless Teddy Bear (Latine loqui coactus sum)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Harmless Teddy Bear
Let me guess. The dam is getting ready to go anyway and China is going to try to take advantage of it

Good thought. It certainly could be a ready-made excuse for them to attack Taiwan.
9 posted on 06/19/2004 8:47:50 AM PDT by pt17
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: traumer
But this worry is unrealistic. It would take a nuke to make a dent in this monstrosity !

No really. All you need to do is weaken it and the pressure due to the volume of water will do the rest. If Bush still holds on to the treaty to defend Taiwan, our nuke subs could take care of the mainland.

10 posted on 06/19/2004 8:49:59 AM PDT by Bommer (RIP Ronald Reagan!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: traumer
How did they come up with this paranoid idea that Taiwan wanted to destroy this DAMN DAM
It's a good excuse. If the damned dam fails, they can say Tawian did it, attack, and save face.
11 posted on 06/19/2004 9:02:18 AM PDT by Clara Lou
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: hedgetrimmer
My, my. It looks as if Taiwan will soon be consumed by the Dragon. The U.S. will do nothing - for we have neither the troops nor the will for such a fight.

The free traitors have fed the Dragon well, and it is grown strong. The people of Taiwan will be sacrificed to the god of cheap labor costs. I wonder - who will be consumed next?

12 posted on 06/19/2004 9:04:17 AM PDT by neutrino (Against stupidity the very Gods themselves contend in vain.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: neutrino

Its a sobering thought, isn't it?


13 posted on 06/19/2004 9:05:44 AM PDT by hedgetrimmer
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: Harmless Teddy Bear

I see that we had the same thought. See my #11. I think that the Chinese government barged ahead with the dam project after being warned that it was too technically ambitious. Communist goverments are like that though-- to he!! with everyone as long as they get what they want.


14 posted on 06/19/2004 9:06:22 AM PDT by Clara Lou
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: neutrino

"The people of Taiwan will be sacrificed to the god of cheap labor costs... "

Does it mean that Walmart's LOW - LOW PRICES will go even LOWER ?


15 posted on 06/19/2004 9:12:16 AM PDT by traumer
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: hedgetrimmer
And, since the US is obliged by treaty to defend Taiwan from attack, we will be launching nukes at China in response.

The red Chinese elitist masters are in denial.


BUMP

16 posted on 06/19/2004 9:13:06 AM PDT by tm22721 (May the UN rest in peace)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: tm22721

Will never happen and you know it...


17 posted on 06/19/2004 9:14:19 AM PDT by traumer
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: hedgetrimmer

This article merely expresses China's acceptance of nuclear weapons to pre-empt terrorist attacks. So we can expect no problems from them in the U.N. when our time comes to pre-empt terrorist attacks with nuclear weapons.


18 posted on 06/19/2004 9:17:52 AM PDT by Unknowing (Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their country.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Clara Lou
I can't decide if I am paranoid or just a realist.

I seem to remember reading that there were some big cracks already forming in this dam so it seems logical to assume that China would try to wring some advantage from this soon to be catastrophe.

Of course this would be a damn stupid move for China to make. We have ten military bases in the area. By the time China could reach Taiwan so can we. And if they are going to use the dam breaking as an excuse then the rushing wall of water would be our signal to move.

We have treaties with Taiwan and GW isn't the kind to break his word in a case like this. If Kerry is in office of course it becomes a whole new ball game.

19 posted on 06/19/2004 9:30:47 AM PDT by Harmless Teddy Bear (Latine loqui coactus sum)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: hedgetrimmer
The Chineese come up with the oddest English.

splittist forces

Capitalist roaders, etc.

20 posted on 06/19/2004 9:34:52 AM PDT by DManA
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-49 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson