Taiwanese President Releases Chinese Missile Arsenal Information

In an apparent move to boost support for a planned sovereignty referendum, Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian yesterday released information on Chinese ballistic missiles targeting Taiwan, according to AFX News (see GSN, Oct. 29).

Chen said that China has deployed almost 500 missiles in several provinces targeting Taiwan. He also said that Beijing has “often held wargames threatening to attack Taiwan.”

“This is the ongoing threat towards Taiwan,” Chen said.

Chen’s speech yesterday is seen as a move to help bolster support for a planned sovereignty referendum to be held in March 2004, according to AFX News. A provision in Taiwanese law allows Chen to hold a referendum on “issues of national security concern” in the event of a foreign threat (AFX News, Dec. 1).

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