Taiwan today made a series of missile tests as part of their maneuvers Jiupeng military base in the southern tip of the island, coinciding with the visit of Chinese President Hu Jintao to the United States. Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeo attended military exercises, the highest since he took office in 2008, during which 19 missiles were launched, five of which did not achieve their objectives, according to military sources."I'm very satisfied." "Some rockets missed the targets and we have to consider whether these are mechanical or human error. We must also do more exercises to enhance military capabilities," said Ma Ying-jeo. Maneuvers were used in 19 types of missiles, including the Tien-kung, Hawk, Sparrow, Stinger Avenger, Tien-Chien I and several air-air, said the Taiwanese Ministry of Defense.
These military exercises are open to the media for the first time in eight years, taking place a few days after China unveiled its J-20 fighter, which uses stealth technology to avoid detection by radar. "Taiwan wants to reassure his people at a time when China continues to develop advanced weapons, like the J-20," said Edward Chen, a political scientist at Tamkang University's Graduate Institute of American Studies.
The maneuvers coincide with the release of Chinese President in Beijing to the United States for a state visit, during which the Taiwan issue will focus the agenda. According to Taiwanese Vice Defense, Andrew Yang, the exercises also aim to send Washington a message that in spite of its close economic ties with China, Taiwan still needs U.S.
help to defend themselves. For Taiwan and China have a dispute over the sovereignty of the island since 1949, when Chinese nationalists fled to the territory after being defeated by the Communists in mainland China. Since then, China considers Taiwan part of its territory and has never renounced the possibility of using force to recover it.
No comments:
Post a Comment