Defense analysts call for greater military deterrent

Addressing a group of military policemen in the reserves yesterday evening, President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) also highlighted the importance of the concept of "national defense by all the people," saying the defense of the country should lie upon the shoulders of every Taiwanese.

Meanwhile, Tsai, who specializes in China's military, also outlined in his paper what he perceived as the deficiencies in Beijing's military modernization, including its dependence on Russia as its key weapon supplier.

China's dependence on Russia for the purchase of advanced weapons systems, technology know-how as well as the supply of logistics components could force Beijing to run political risks as it attempts to modernize, Tsai said.

The Pentagon report, on the other hand, cited a number of pitfalls in Taiwan's capabilities, such as "an opaque military policymaking system, a ground force-centric orientation," among others.