June 5,
2008: Taiwan's newly elected, pro-China,
president visited China recently and met with Chinese leaders. While Taiwan
still maintains its independence, by backing away from formally declaring
independence, China felt obliged to make nice as well. So China will stop
installing cruise and ballistic missiles on the coast opposite Taiwan (180
kilometers away across the Taiwan Straits), and then begun reducing the number
(about 1,300) currently installed. Taiwan did not announce that it would also
shut down its anti-ballistic missile program, or purchase of additional U.S. F-16
fighters.
The
Chinese missiles carry one ton or half ton warheads, and were expected to be
used to try and cripple Taiwanese air force and navy, as well as attacking
headquarters and communications targets. After that, China would try to invade
with airborne and amphibious forces. Without those missiles, Taiwans's superior
air and naval forces would make it very difficult, if not impossible, for the
invasion force to cross the straits.
