Vice President Annette Lu (呂秀蓮) warned yesterday that China has 14 new air bases in its southeastern provinces that are within 350km of Taiwan. The military later said the number is actually higher.
Lu made the warning yesterday as she delivered a speech to promote an upcoming conference sponsored by her brainchild, the Taiwan Alliance for Global Peace.
PHOTO: CHIANG YING-YING, TAIPEI TIMESN
A high-ranking defense official confirmed Lu's point, but added that there are many more than 14 new air bases in that region.
"What Lu said is based on a recent report by the National Security Council (NSC). But the report seems to have quoted out-of-date information," the defense official said. "The actual threat that the Chinese air force poses to Taiwan may be much greater than that implied by Lu."
"When we say `areas within a radius of 350km of Taiwan,' we roughly refer to areas east of Lienchen, Fujian Province," the official explained.
When asked exactly how many air bases there were, the official declined to be more exact than to say "More than 14," he said.
"China's real threat cannot be calculated merely by counting bases and planes" the official said. "We must also know the combat readiness of the Chinese air force in those areas."
In another speech delivered yesterday, Lu made a similar warning against China's military threat toward Taiwan.
"As Taiwanese businessmen swarm to China for financial gain, China continues its arms build-up in the provinces facing Taiwan. It has deployed a total of 350 ballistic missiles and over 700 fighter aircraft in the southeastern provinces," she said.
The press conference for the Taiwan Alliance for Global Peace was held to introduce foreign dignitaries that have been invited to attend a conference called the 2001 Global Peace Assembly on Aug. 15, marking the end of the second world war 56 years ago.
The dignitaries include six Nobel Peace Prize laureates: Northern Ireland peace process negotiator Betty Williams, US anti-land mine activist Jody Williams, British anti-nuclear activist Joseph Rotbalt, former Polish president Lech Walesa, former Costa Rican president Oscar Arias Sanchez, and former South African president Frederik Willem de Klerk.
Lu also invited 14 legislators from Japan and the US as well as the heads of 11 international organizations.
"Peace does not come out of weakness. Nor will it come out of pity from the invader. It can be gained only through wisdom," Lu said. "To defend against China, which is like a lion to us, we must make the best use of our special `soft power.' Compared to China, Taiwan is like a kitty cat.''
Lu yesterday called on the public not be pessimistic about Taiwan's future, since Taiwan has garnered strong support from the international community.
"It is amazing that the Taiwan Alliance for Global Peace was able to attract so many international figures in the period of just one and a half months. This demonstrates the level of support Taiwan enjoys," she said.
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