In an attempt to impress upon the public its intelligence gathering capabilities, the National Security Bureau (NSB) revealed yesterday that it had advance knowledge concerning the launch of a tactical telecommunications satellite by China earlier this week.
"We are making this announcement to tell the public that the NSB has been closely monitoring the activity conducted by China," said NSB director-general Ting Yu-chou (
The Zhongxing-22 telecommunications satellite put into orbit from a Long March 3A rocket fired from a base in the southwestern province of Sichuan at forty-five minutes past midnight on Tuesday, according to the NSB.
Chinese newspapers said yesterday that the satellite would be used in ground telecommunications and was designed to be in service for eight years.
The NSB official, meanwhile, said the satellite did not pose an immediate threat to Taiwan.
"But its launch indicates a first step toward the build-up of a strategic telecommunications network by China," Ting said.
The Ministry of National Defense (MND) confirmed the launch but downplayed its significance.
MND Spokesman Kung Fan-ding (
Ministry officials also declined to comment on why the NSB -- a military institution under the Presidential Office -- made public China's satellite launch at a time when there are no signs of military intimidation from China.
Analysts yesterday said the satellite represents China's efforts to upgrade the field command and control capabilities of its military, with additional satellites to be put into orbit over the coming years.
The NSB's Ting also hinted at the importance of political stability across the Taiwan Strait during the lead-up to the presidential elections in March.
"If no accidents occur before the election, China will only conduct small-scale military exercises, with Taiwan as its intended target. These exercises should be maintained at a level which will not raise tensions in the Strait," Ting said.
"The Chinese Communists have two objectives toward Taiwan this year. One is to break the stalemate to begin political negotiations after the presidential elections," he said.
"The second is to open the door for the three direct links [direct communications, commerce and transportation] after expected entry to the World Trade Organization [by Taiwan and China] at the end of this year," Ting said.
"There is no guarantee, however, that the Chinese will get what they want," Ting said.
"China's policy toward Taiwan now is to hope for the best and prepare for the worst. On the one hand, China hopes to break the current impasse between the two sides. On the other hand, it is also making preparations for the worst to happen -- a war with Taiwan. Whether or not to start a war is a political choice," he said.
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