Chen urges realistic view of China

President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) yesterday cautioned against wishful thinking and unrealistic expectations following Beijing's recent change of military leadership.

Chen's warning came one day after Chinese President Hu Jintao (胡錦濤) replaced former president Jiang Zemin (江澤民) as head of the Central Military Commission.

The transfer has led some people in this country to express the hope that Hu -- regarded as a moderate in comparison to his predecessors -- might take a less hard-line approach toward Taiwan.

"National security is in our own hands," Chen said while meeting model military personnel at the Presidential Office yesterday.

"We should never engage in wishful thinking, expect the enemy's goodwill or assistance from outsiders," he said.

"Although Jiang Zemin has resigned his position as military chief commander, we can never to harbor fantasies or have unrealistic expectations," Chen said.

"Only by constructing a firm and substantial defense can we prevent the enemy's sneaky attempts to attack us," the president said. "Only by deepening our feeling of unity can we consolidate our democracy, constitutional order and economic prosperity."

Chen warmed that China has a three-pronged strategy to destabilize Taiwan -- psychological warfare, use of the media and using its legal system to enact an unification law that would define Taiwan as a "special political region" under its jurisdiction.

During Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao's (溫家寶) visit to Europe in May, he said that Beijing might write a unification law to serve as the legal basis for using military force against what it views as separatist movements.

"In view of the seriousness of Communist China's attempts to legalize its military forces against Taiwan, all military personnel and our compatriots should remain vigilant and alert," Chen said.

``Fearing war won't avoid or stop a war. The best way to avoid a war is to be prepared for a war,'' he said.

The nation needs to build up the military and buy arms, Chen said, not to have an arm race with China but in order to be prepared, to strengthen its security and protect its democratic achievements.

Meanwhile in Beijing, Jiang yesterday urged his successors to continue his policy of using military threat to persuade Taiwan to accept unification with China, state television said.

"Resolutely do not make a commitment to give up the use of force," Jiang was quoted as saying in a speech to Hu and others at the first meeting of the expanded 11-member Military Commission.

"This is a major political principle," he said. "Reunification is the big cause of the country."

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