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Thousands gather to call on China to take missiles away

Foreign Minister Eugene Chien's (簡又新) call on China to stop its use of missiles intimidating Taiwan was echoed by a large crowd who turned out last night at the ministry's anti-missile campaign festival.

The festival, co-sponsored by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and Taiwan Junior Chamber and supported by more than 100 civic organizations, was part of MOFA's campaign to protest against China's deployment of hundreds of missiles along its southeastern coast.

Held at the square in front of the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, the event attracted nearly 10,000 visitors, according to MOFA

"Our call is simple. We wish for peace and thus hereby call on China to dismantle its missiles aimed at Taiwan," said Chien at the event titled "Festival of Peace for All -- Dismantle Missiles, Embrace Peace."

According to Chien, China has deployed approximately 400 missiles along its southeastern coast aiming at Taiwan.

"If we were to speak in terms of Taiwan's land area, on average, every piece of lanmeasuring 90m2 in Taiwan is faced with the threat of one missile," said Chien.

"And if we were to speak in terms of population, every single one of those 400-plus missiles along China's southeast coast threatens the security and lives of around 57,000 people in Taiwan."

Aside from urging China to place importance on the cross-strait peace, Chien also encouraged festival-participants on site to pick up their pens and write to friends abroad to help persuade China to dismantle its missiles pointed at Taiwan.

"We want peace, not fear," said Chien, stressing the event's slogan.

Noting that friendly gestures that have recently been made by the European Parliament and nations such as the US., Germany, the United Kingdon, France and Japan in regard to the cross-strait situation, Chien last night also called on more nations and international organizations to step out and condemn China's threat against Taiwan.

President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁), Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng (王金平) and Ole Andreasen, vice president of the EP-Taiwan Friendship Group of the European Parliament, also made an appearance at the event last night to condemn China's deployment of missiles against Taiwan and they expressed their hope for peaceful cross-strait relations and world peace.

Aside from speeches, the festival also featured performances by various artists and groups including a version of We Are the World sung by students of the Jen-Ai Elementary School and YMCA.

During the event, President Chen also led the audience in a prayer for peace.

Two other anti-missile gatherings will be held, one in Taichung on Nov. 2 and the other in Kaohsiung on Nov. 9.
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