 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
China's military officials urge combat readiness: report
Beijing (AFP) March 7, 2008 Chinese military officials have urged combat readiness in efforts to reunify Taiwan, just days after the government announced a 17.6 percent rise in defence spending, state press said Friday. "Preparations for military struggle shall be continued, which is now the most important, practical and imperative task", Xinhua news agency quoted Jing Zhiyuan, a People's Liberation Army (PLA) artillery commander, as saying. Jing "urged armed forces to provide solid military backup for the nation's realisation of peaceful reunification" with Taiwan, it said. Jing commands China's Second Artillery Force, which, according to Taiwan defence officials, has deployed more than 1,000 ballistic missiles facing the island. He was speaking while in Beijing as a delegate to the annual parliamentary session that began on Wednesday. Chang Wanquan, head of the PLA General Armaments Department, also urged development of high-tech weapons and equipment to boost the army's combat readiness, the report said. China announced on Tuesday its defence spending would jump 17.6 percent to 417.8 billion yuan (about 57.2 billion dollars) this year but insisted the rise was moderate. China views Taiwan as a rebel province awaiting reunification, by force if necessary. The two sides split at the end of a civil war and the issue is regarded as one of Asia's most dangerous potential flashpoints. Community Email This Article Comment On This Article Related Links Learn about the Superpowers of the 21st Century at SpaceWar.com Learn about nuclear weapons doctrine and defense at SpaceWar.com 
Germany Wants New Strategic Partnership With Russia
Berlin (AFP) March 4, 2008German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said Tuesday he wants to make Russia a central ally following Dmitry Medvedev's sweeping presidential win. |
|
|
| The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2007 - SpaceDaily.AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA Portal Reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by SpaceDaily on any Web page published or hosted by SpaceDaily. Privacy Statement |
