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Defense ministry denies fighter jets provoking China

The Ministry of National Defense yesterday dismissed a report in Hong Kong's Wen Wei Po newspaper that said Taiwanese military aircraft have been crossing the middle line of the Taiwan Strait.

"It was an inaccurate story. Please stay calm and do not worry about it," said ministry spokesman Major General Huang Suei-sheng (黃穗生).

"We are strict about asking our pilots and sailors to be aware of the middle line whenever they are carrying out their duties," he said. "Even if we cross that line accidentally, we will never challenge them [the Chinese military]."

A story in the Beijing-backed Wen Wei Po on Monday said a group of Taiwanese jets tried to cross the middle line of the Strait but were turned back by Chinese aircraft.

The newspaper identified its source as a high-ranking officer in China's military. The source said, "Taiwanese aircraft will be destroyed if they dare to provoke."

"Taiwan's attempts to create military incidents have gone on without interruption. If its aircraft cross the middle line and enter our airspace, we will use military force to smash them or force them to land at Chinese bases," the official said.

Taiwan's military relies on US-made F-16s and French Mirage 2000s, while China uses Su-27s.

Their high speed means it takes little time for them to cross the middle line of the Strait after takeoff.

Huang said the bottom line for Taiwan's military is to never provoke, never step back and never avoid necessary battles. He said the minister has the authority to decide how to fight back if Taiwan is challenged or attacked. He added that there have not been any unusual activities by China's military.

"Our major mission is defense, not provocation. But we will fight back if necessary," Huang said.

When asked what Taiwan's air force would do if Chinese aircraft cross the middle line, Huang said, "We have proper procedures to take care of that situation."

He did not explain what those procedures were.

Huang said the two sides of the Strait follow a code of unwritten rules and that it would not be easy for a military conflict to occur.

"We can see exactly what they are doing on our radar screens. As a result, there is no need to worry too much," Huang said.

Huang added that the Wen Wei Po is run by the Chinese authorities, so it is natural for the newspaper to publish stories in Beijing's favor.

Retired Admiral Nelson Ku (顧崇廉), now a People First Party lawmaker, said the story might have been designed to echo comments by Zhang Mingqing (張銘清), Beijing's Taiwan Affairs Office spokesman, who on Monday called President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) a "faithless man."

Zhang called Chen's inauguration address a "cloaked address on independence" and said Beijing would pay any price to stop him on his road to statehood.
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