ILAN, Taiwan (Reuters) - Taiwan staged its biggest live-fire army drills in about 20 years on Thursday, showcasing latest weaponry designed to combat a potential Chinese attack as Beijing builds its military might. More than 13,000 soldiers took part in the exercise, which saw U.S.-made F-16 fighter jets screaming across the sky and tanks firing from a beach at targets floating on the sea. Paratroopers posing as Chinese communist soldiers floated to the ground, simulating an airborne assault against key installations on the island. "Across the Strait, China has always been the biggest national security threat to the Republic of China, Taiwan, for the past half a century," said the island's independence-leaning president, Chen Shui-bian. "Global military strategies are ever-changing with recent heightened tensions along the Korean peninsula," he said, adding that boosting Taiwan's defense would ensure peace and stability along the Taiwan Strait and the Asia-Pacific region. The annual Han Kuang -- or Chinese Glory -- exercises are designed to counter an invasion by China, which views self-ruled democratic Taiwan as a wayward province that has to be unified with the mainland, by force if necessary. China's cabinet-level Taiwan Affairs Office had no immediate comment. SHIFTING MILITARY BALANCE Thursday's exercise featured more than 550 pieces of artillery, including nearly 40 types of aircraft, warships, tanks and canons, the Defense Ministry said. The ministry had splashed flashy advertisements on television in the days ahead of the exercise, part of an ongoing publicity effort to stress the need for bolstering the island's defenses. Taiwan's defense officials said in February Taiwan planned to raise its annual military spending -- around T$240 billion (US$7.3 billion), or 2.4 percent of gross domestic product in 2006 -- to 2.85 percent of GDP in 2007 and 3 percent in 2008. The plan came as opposition legislators repeatedly blocked a special budget to buy U.S. arms, even though the package was cut from US$18 billion to US$11 billion, and again to US$9 billion. Chen said this week China had 820 missiles aimed at Taiwan, giving the island of 23 million people more reason to boost its military defenses. Taiwan and China have faced off since 1949 when defeated Nationalist forces fled to the island after losing a civil war to the Communists. The military balance in the Taiwan Strait is now shifting in China's favor because the Asian giant has been pumping up defense amid concern that Taiwan will declare independence, analysts say. The United States, obliged by its Taiwan Relations Act to help the island defend itself, has repeatedly urged China to explain its military build-up, worried it will alter the balance of regional power. China's defense expenditure was officially about US$30 billion in 2005, up 12.6 percent from the previous year, but many foreign experts believe the real figure is significantly higher. http://news.scotsman.com/latest.cfm?id=1054192006
yes developing its stockpile of weapons and soldiers ^^ Actually on a more serious note, wouldnt this just provoke China more, as it is seen as a step to gain more independance from China. Well considering the way things are going in the world, world war 3 looks like its on the horizons
Countries gain power through fighting wars. US erupted as a super power after WWI. 1 billion plus people will mean millions and millions of soldiers. Unless if Taiwan plans to blow the whole China up I don't think they have a chance. In that case Taiwan should save the money on missiles and just buy candy for their pumped up US friend -rolleyes
^ lol so i see what your saying... for china to become the world superpower we must go to war!!! AAAAHHHHHH -dead -lol
CHINA = greed, pride, jealousy, dominance etc.. to show to the whole world they're strong.. if not being watched.. soon CHINA would or mite ally wid north korea and boooomb US.. who knows.. turning their back against the leading country.. u'll nv know.. that's what CHINA is best for.. BETRAY.. actually any human is.. lol..oops
well china has never won a major battle in the 20th century and they were occupied by alot of countries too, its probably something they are determined not to let happen again.
Someone obviously hates China..... Every country betrays. You don't make any sense. Greed, pride jealousy and dominance to show the whole world they're strong....EVERY country strives for power.
^ yeh, it was a a quick hot headed reply, but i dont let it get to me, it really has no standing with me and im sure it wont anymore
i think taiwan should be independent just like HK, though HK has already fallen back under China.. ><
^loll! XD yea i mean china's been doing "military exercises" near taiwan like 10 years ago but seriously, why does china want taiwan to be part of them anyway? we're just a tiny little island!! >o<
Well, even if Taiwan has nuclear arsenal it wont change China's resolve to deny Taiwan independence. Besides, I dont see how effective Taiwan's arsenal is when it comes to repelling an all out offensive from China.
