Grinder
1 August 2003, 18:20
By Sgt. 1st Class Doug Sample
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Aug. 1, 2003 - The People's Republic of China would prefer to
resolve the issue of Taiwan's independence peacefully, even as leaders of the
communist country seek military options to enforce its policy of "One China,"
cites a Defense Department report.
The Annual Report on the Military Power of the People's Republic of China [http://www.defenselink.mil/pubs/20030730chinaex.pdf]
released to Congress July 30 states that both mainland and island seek a
peaceful resolution to the unification issue. But China continues spending
billions to modernize its military, which "casts a cloud" over resolving
differences with Taiwan through peaceful means.
Taiwan, located off the mainland China coast, claimed independence from the
communist country in 1949. Taiwan formed its own democratic government. Since
then, China has sought to reunify Taiwan under its rule. Taiwan has 21 million
people.
China is a communist state set up after World War II, establishing a
dictatorship and imposing strict controls on everyday life. After 1978, market-
oriented reforms and decentralized economic decision making were gradually
introduced. Political controls remain tight even today, while economic controls
continue to be relaxed. China's population numbers 1.3 billion, largest in the
world.
China, claiming sovereignty over the tiny island, sees Taiwan as a renegade
province and has threatened to use military force if Taiwan declares
independence.
The report notes that China refuses to renounce the use of force against Taiwan
and says that the country would take military action under these circumstances:
Taipei, Taiwan's capital, declares independence;
foreign countries intervene in the country's internal affairs;
the acquisition of nuclear weapons; or
there is internal unrest.
China's leaders also have indicated that indefinite delays in the resumption of
talks between capitals Beijing and Taipei could justify the use of force.
These statements, coupled with the China's ambitious military modernization
program, may reflect an "increasing willingness" by China to consider using
force to achieve unification, the report states. The guise of a powerful
military may also convince or deter Taiwan from moving further toward
independence.
China continues to develop military capabilities that could expand its options
for an armed conflict against Taiwan, an option China hopes will make Taiwan
see "increasing reasons to unify, or at a minimum, to avoid movement toward
independence."
The report states that China's military capabilities improve as each year and
that Beijing announced a significant increase in defense spending in 2002 to
modernize its military. According to the report, that spending could double its
announced defense spending by the year 2005.
Beijing's military exercises have taken on an "increasingly real-world focus"
over the past few years, attracting U.S. interest. The report notes China's has
emphasized "rigorous practice and operational capabilities," while improving
incrementally the military's actual ability to use force.
These actions are aimed not only at Taiwan, but pose risk to U.S. military
forces and to the United States itself in any future Taiwan contingency, the
report states.
The report also points out that China may have reservations before using
military force in the region. The country's leaders reportedly believe that
failure in any military undertaking against Taiwan could threaten survival of
Communist Party rule.
Another key factor is Taiwan's will to resist. The reports notes that Beijing
must consider its military capabilities against Taiwan, which also has a
competent military. In addition, China must factor in U.S. or "outside powers"
intervention on Taiwan's behalf.
The report notes that China is also "sensitive" to the potential political and
economic fallout that could occur, and that China "recognizes that the use of
force against the country could severely damage China's regional and global
interests." China has avoided activities that might threaten its economic
growth and access to foreign markets, investment and technology, the report
emphasized.
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Aug. 1, 2003 - The People's Republic of China would prefer to
resolve the issue of Taiwan's independence peacefully, even as leaders of the
communist country seek military options to enforce its policy of "One China,"
cites a Defense Department report.
The Annual Report on the Military Power of the People's Republic of China [http://www.defenselink.mil/pubs/20030730chinaex.pdf]
released to Congress July 30 states that both mainland and island seek a
peaceful resolution to the unification issue. But China continues spending
billions to modernize its military, which "casts a cloud" over resolving
differences with Taiwan through peaceful means.
Taiwan, located off the mainland China coast, claimed independence from the
communist country in 1949. Taiwan formed its own democratic government. Since
then, China has sought to reunify Taiwan under its rule. Taiwan has 21 million
people.
China is a communist state set up after World War II, establishing a
dictatorship and imposing strict controls on everyday life. After 1978, market-
oriented reforms and decentralized economic decision making were gradually
introduced. Political controls remain tight even today, while economic controls
continue to be relaxed. China's population numbers 1.3 billion, largest in the
world.
China, claiming sovereignty over the tiny island, sees Taiwan as a renegade
province and has threatened to use military force if Taiwan declares
independence.
The report notes that China refuses to renounce the use of force against Taiwan
and says that the country would take military action under these circumstances:
Taipei, Taiwan's capital, declares independence;
foreign countries intervene in the country's internal affairs;
the acquisition of nuclear weapons; or
there is internal unrest.
China's leaders also have indicated that indefinite delays in the resumption of
talks between capitals Beijing and Taipei could justify the use of force.
These statements, coupled with the China's ambitious military modernization
program, may reflect an "increasing willingness" by China to consider using
force to achieve unification, the report states. The guise of a powerful
military may also convince or deter Taiwan from moving further toward
independence.
China continues to develop military capabilities that could expand its options
for an armed conflict against Taiwan, an option China hopes will make Taiwan
see "increasing reasons to unify, or at a minimum, to avoid movement toward
independence."
The report states that China's military capabilities improve as each year and
that Beijing announced a significant increase in defense spending in 2002 to
modernize its military. According to the report, that spending could double its
announced defense spending by the year 2005.
Beijing's military exercises have taken on an "increasingly real-world focus"
over the past few years, attracting U.S. interest. The report notes China's has
emphasized "rigorous practice and operational capabilities," while improving
incrementally the military's actual ability to use force.
These actions are aimed not only at Taiwan, but pose risk to U.S. military
forces and to the United States itself in any future Taiwan contingency, the
report states.
The report also points out that China may have reservations before using
military force in the region. The country's leaders reportedly believe that
failure in any military undertaking against Taiwan could threaten survival of
Communist Party rule.
Another key factor is Taiwan's will to resist. The reports notes that Beijing
must consider its military capabilities against Taiwan, which also has a
competent military. In addition, China must factor in U.S. or "outside powers"
intervention on Taiwan's behalf.
The report notes that China is also "sensitive" to the potential political and
economic fallout that could occur, and that China "recognizes that the use of
force against the country could severely damage China's regional and global
interests." China has avoided activities that might threaten its economic
growth and access to foreign markets, investment and technology, the report
emphasized.