Vice president lashes out at Chinese missile threat

China should haul away hundreds of missiles deployed across from Taiwan so the two rivals can build closer economic ties and even jointly play host to the Olympics, Taiwan's outspoken vice president said yesterday.

China's speedy buildup of missiles along its southeastern coasts in recent years has turned the region into the "the biggest flashpoint of the century," Annette Lu (呂秀蓮) said.

One of the most galling things is that China has been adding missiles while benefiting from the billions of dollars investors from Taiwan have poured into China, Lu said.

With the help from people from Taiwan, China has recently emerged as a leading computer maker in the world, she said, noting 75 percent of China's computer products are made by Taiwanese-invested firms.

At the same time, China has deployed 300 missiles directed at Taiwan and could increase the number of its missiles to 800 by 2005, she said, citing US military reports.

"Chinese people should tell their leaders to be more friendly to Taiwan and not buy any more missiles, but rather use the money on economic development," Lu said.

Despite their flourishing trade, Taiwan faces the constant threat of China's massive military.

Taiwan has voiced its support for Beijing's bid for the 2008 Olympics, and if Beijing wins the bid, Taiwan could even play host to a few events, Lu said.

But this would not happen unless Beijing knocks down the missiles and "softens the teeth and jaw" of a lion, she said.

Taiwan also would not accept a China's suggestion that the country accept the "one China" principle in exchange for playing host to some events, Lu said.

"One China is a trap," she said. "It's like a lion's cage set up for a kitty to enter. We must not be snared in the trap."

Beijing has demanded that Taiwan acknowledge the country is an inseparable part of China as a precondition for setting up a summit.

President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) has rejected the precondition, fearing Taiwan would then be admitting it is controlled by China.

Before China ends its military threat against the country, Taiwan must bolster its security with more defensive weapons and seek diplomatic or moral support from the international community, Lu said.

"We harbor no hostility, but we cannot demand peace when we feel timid ourselves," she said.

Lu was in the news recently after she became the first state leader to release a book while still in office.

In the book, entitled The true words to Taiwan -- the first year of Vice President Annette Lu (台灣良心話 -- - 呂副總統的第一年), the vice president lashed out at the president and the media who, she claimed, treated her as though she were an "alien."