China Points 900 Missiles at Taiwan, Report Says

More than 900 Chinese ballistic missiles are aimed at Taiwan, Agence France-Presse reported yesterday (see GSN, Feb, 8, 2006).

The number of deployed missiles, with ranges between 300 and 600 miles, continues to increase, a U.S. intelligence source told Taiwan’s United Daily News newspaper.

In July 2006, Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian said China had 784 ballistic and 36 cruise missiles pointed at the island.

Taiwan has three Patriot batteries, which would not provide full protection from a significant Chinese missile attack in the event that the territorial dispute bloomed into war, Taiwanese Defense Ministry officials told the Daily News.  A 10-hour missile bombardment could cause serious damage to Taiwan’s communications, transportation and command centers, the ministry said.  The missiles could also destroy Taiwan’s air force (Agence France-Presse/Sino Daily, Jan. 22).

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