Article

2004-09-30 China-Japan-Koreas

Taiwan's Chen hardens stance towards Red China

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Posted by Mark Espinola 2004-09-30 7:49:18 PM|| || Front Page|| [1 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 I would suggest that he is trying to manipulate some struggle on the mainland. The big agitators for forced reunification have been preaching it as a mantra for so long, to get their way, that by forcing them to "put up or shut up", it might actually cost them face, giving power to calmer heads. He might even be doing the new leader of China a favor, in a subtle way.

Posted by Anonymoose 2004-09-30 9:11:10 PM|| 2004-09-30 9:11:10 PM|| Front Page Top

#2 While I applaud Chen Shui-bian's firmer stance regarding China's constant threats of warmaking, I am not sure how well equipped he is at present to adequately repulse a full-scale attack. It may be more in his interest to await receipt of the submarine order and missile defense packages he is currently attempting to acquire before pushing so many of the politburo's buttons.

That said, I think Taiwan is on the right track by openly declaring Three Gorges dam and Shanghai to be strategic targets in case of mainland attack. It is high time for China to confront the enormous potential for loss on both sides of the Formosa Straits should hostilities ignite.

China's intensely hypocritical attempts to recruit other world leaders in order to apply pressure on Taiwan, while the politburo remains the sole source of aggression is disgusting in the extreme. Once Taiwan is better armed against such an onslaught, this new level of strategic threat against the mainland will be more than a little welcome.

Posted by Zenster 2004-09-30 10:16:57 PM|| 2004-09-30 10:16:57 PM|| Front Page Top

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