Taiwan indicated this week that it would not scale back weapons acquisitions if China moved forward on a reported plan to reduce the number of missiles aimed at the island, Agence France-Presse reported (see GSN, June 4, 2008).
China considers Taiwan to be part of its territory and has threatened to use military force to prevent any effort by Taipei to pursue independence. Relations between the two governments have improved since Ma Ying-jeou became Taiwan's president in May, according to AFP.
Beijing might pursue the missile cutbacks despite reservations among its own military officials, the Hong Kong newspaper Yazhou Zhoukan reported. Taiwanese defense officials previously estimated that the self-governing island was targeted by more than 1,300 missiles from the mainland, according to AFP.
"It would be our pleasure to see it, if realized," Taiwanese Defense Ministry spokeswoman Lisa Chi said. "Even so, such a move would have a greater symbolic implication than a material significance, because it would not take long to redeploy such missiles whenever needed. ... We'll continue strengthening our arms buildup and combat preparedness" (Agence France-Presse/Spacewar.com, Jan. 4).