The Cabinet and the Ministry of Defense yesterday dismissed a proposal by China to withdraw its missiles as a trick aimed at preventing the US government from selling arms to Taiwan.
"Instead of using the media to spread rumors, why don't they sit down and talk with us about how to develop a military trust mechanism and how to create a peaceful and stable environment across the Strait," Cabinet Spokesman Chen Chi-mai (陳其邁) said.
Chen made the remark in response to a report in the pro-China Hong Kong newspaper Wen Wei Po that claimed Beijing would consider withdrawing ballistic missiles deployed along its southeast coast if the US government stops selling advanced weapons to Taiwan.
Dubbing the media report as hearsay, Chen said China would never withdraw its missiles.
"I'd like to point out that China has made double-digit increases in its military budget every year since 1995, which seriously threatens security across the Taiwan Strait," he said. "Take last year for example; its military expenses were recorded at between US$50 billion and NT$70 billion."
Taiwan, on the other hand, has been cutting military spending. Military expenditures accounted for 24.3 percent of the total budget in 1994. They accounted for only 16.5 percent last year. The Cabinet has requested NT$251.9 billion, or 15.6 percent of next year's annual budget, for national defense.
Commenting on the media report, Minister of National Defense Lee Jye (李傑) and National Security Council Secretary-General Chiou I-jen (邱義仁) said it would be of little meaning to withdraw the missiles because they can be relocated elsewhere and then brought back again.
Also dismissing the proposal, Vice Minister of National Defense Huo Shou-yeh (
Huo made the remark in response to a media inquiry about the Wen Wei Po report yesterday morning after briefing independent lawmakers on the planned NT$614.1 billion (US$18.4 billion) special budget for arms purchases from the US.
The bill is awaiting approval by the legislature.
The money is to be spent over the next 15 years, with NT$412 billion earmarked for eight diesel-electric submarines, NT$145 billion for six Patriot anti-missile systems and NT$53 billion for 12 P-3C anti-submarine aircraft.
Defense ministry spokesman Major-General Huang Suei-sheng (黃穗生) said China pulling back its missiles along the coast would be meaningless since it has long-range missiles located elsewhere and is developing its armed forces.
"As long as China does not give up the intention to launch a military assault against Taiwan, we should be on high alert," Huang said. "It's just another of China's tricks to prevent the US government from selling arms to us."
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