March 13, 2005
Space War
BEIJING (AFP)
China's President Hu Jintao told the military Sunday it should step up preparations for a possible war, and to safeguard territorial integrity, in apparent reference to reunifying with Taiwan.
"We shall step up preparations for possible military struggle and enhance our capabilities to cope with crises, safeguard peace, prevent wars and win the wars if any," Hu said shortly after he was appointed to the country's top military post.
"We must continuously enhance our sense of political responsibility, and always place the task of defending national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity and safeguarding the interests of national development above anything else," he was quoted as saying by the official Xinhua news agency.
The Chinese president was addressing a meeting of People's Liberation Army delegates at the 10th the National People's Congress, the country's top legislature.
His comments came on the eve of a meeting Monday in which the parliament is expected to pass an "anti-secession" law aimed at preventing rival Taiwan from moving towards independence.
The law gives the Chinese military the legal basis for attacking Taiwan if it moves towards independence. At the same time, Beijing insists that "non-peaceful means" will be used only as a "last resort."
http://www.spacewar.com/2005/050313105226.ngkmfp93.html