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Cablegate: Media Reaction: China's National Defense White

Published: Wed 29 Dec 2004 09:21 AM
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS TAIPEI 004118
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR INR/R/MR, EAP/RSP/TC, EAP/PA, EAP/PD -
ROBERT PALLADINO
DEPARTMENT PASS AIT/WASHINGTON
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OPRC KMDR KPAO TW
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: CHINA'S NATIONAL DEFENSE WHITE
PAPER
A) "Face Directly the War Threats Toward Taiwan Imposed
by China's `National Defense White Paper'"
The pro-independence "Liberty Times" editorialized
(12/29):
"The situation that the [national defense] white paper
and the anti-secession law came out together fully
demonstrates the concern of the Chinese authorities
toward the direction of Taiwan. Hence, even if China
cannot resist the trend and the will of people in
Taiwan to seek independence and autonomy, China still
intends to step up the threats and the bluffing to
effortlessly confront popular opinion in Taiwan.
"In sum, one sentence for the 30-thousand-word white
paper is that its purpose is pointed at Taiwan. China
has been trying to devour Taiwan more and more each
day, and China does not hide its intention to use force
against Taiwan. Under such a serious threat, Taiwan
should establish enough defense capabilities as its
first priority. Hence, objectively considering the
situation in the evolving international environment,
Taiwan should grasp the precious chance when the United
States is willing to sell such advanced weapons, such
as submarines, anti-submarine planes, and the Patriot
missiles to Taiwan. ."
B) "Chen Must Change His Route to Avert a Beijing
Invasion"
The conservative, pro-unification "China Post"
editorialized (12/29):
"It's about time that President Chen Shui-bian made a
choice between continuously pursuing independence and
averting a conflict with mainland China. Should he
decided to choose the former, Taiwan will eventually
have to fight a communist invasion on its own without
aid from its U.S. ally.
"The challenge now facing Chen is that he must revise
his independence route by moving toward the political
center. Failing to do so, he is certain to risk waging
a devastating war with China without the United States
coming to bail Taiwan out."
PAAL
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