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| China-Japan-Koreas |
| Lest we forget |
| 2004-08-12 |
| From StrategyPage: August 12, 2004: China has appointed two senior officers, who are considered experts in dealing with American naval forces, to the military high command. Lieutenant-General Xu Qiliang and Vice-Admiral Wu Shengli were both appointed Deputy Chiefs of Staff last month, but it was only recently announced. Xu and Wu are very much in favor of taking Taiwan by force, despite the possible participation of American armed forces in the islands defense. August 11, 2004: The Taiwanese armed forces announced that a computerized wargame of a Chinese invasion had the Chinese conquering the island in six days. It is widely thought that this is a ploy by the armed forces to get the legislature to spend the large sums of money the military wants to upgrade their weapons and equipment. The legislature is reluctant to spend the money, believing that the U.S. navy will defend the island from the Chinese. August 10, 2004: China is rapidly installing more ballistic missiles on the coast opposite Taiwan. By next year, it's expected that about 800 missiles will be in position. If used, perhaps 75 percent of the missiles would actually hit their target (the others would suffer failures in propulsion or guidance systems.) Each missile is the equivalent of a half ton bomb. But currently, the missiles have primitive guidance systems, meaning that the warheads will usually hit up to 500 meters from the target. The Chinese are believed to be equipping the missiles with GPS, although the Taiwanese can jam this. Guidance systems that are more difficult to jam are in the works, but are probably five or more years away. August 1, 2004: China's defense minister again threatened Taiwan |
| Posted by:mercutio |
| #3 I think (more like hope) that our pledge to Taiwan remains whether or not we have a Lib or Cons, a Repub. or Demo., an evil conservative or stupid horseface. However, the *appearance* of a weaker POTUS may embolden the Chicoms to step up and try to take Taiwan. |
| Posted by: Anonymous4021 2004-08-13 10:54:17 AM |
| #2 mercutio--Thanks for the post! Najaf and John F'in Kerry have been major distractions lately--we can't forget the danger to Taiwan. |
| Posted by: Dar 2004-08-12 8:39:14 PM |
| #1 "The legislature is reluctant to spend the money, believing that the U.S. navy will defend the island from the Chinese." Have they given any thought to what might happen if Kerry wins the election? I have no way of knowing exactly what perceptions the Chicoms have of Kerry, but I would be very surprised if their initial assessment isn't some variation on "war-phobic, vacillating spineless pussy." If Kerry wins, I expect the Chicoms will escalate tensions with Taiwan very, very quickly. |
| Posted by: Dave D. 2004-08-12 8:37:49 PM |