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Presidential election 2008: 17 days to go: Ministry reports no new deployments by Chinese military

The Ministry of National Defense yesterday said that based on information gathered by the ministry, no unusual deployments or activity by the Chinese military have been observed in the leadup to the presidential election.

In a bid to prevent any unexpected events from taking place during the country's presidential election this month and the presidential inauguration in May, the ministry will continue to monitor Chinese military activity and strengthen response measures, ministry spokeswoman Lisa Chi (池玉蘭) told a press conference yesterday.

Meanwhile, in other developments, President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) yesterday rejected speculation that he would replace Chief of the General Staff Huo Shou-yeh (霍守業).

The Chinese-language United Daily News said on Monday that Chen had intended to replace Huo with Armed Forces Reserve commander Yu Lien-fa (余連發), who has a close relationship with Chen.

Dismissing the report as groundless, Chen said that Huo enjoyed the love and esteem of his people and that he had his full confidence.

Chen made the remarks while addressing the promotion and decoration ceremony of Lieutenant General Yang Tien-hsiao (楊天嘯) at the Presidenial Office yesterday morning.

Yang was promoted to general second-class and chief of the General Political Warfare Bureau under the Ministry of National Defense.
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