US Warns of Danger to Taiwan
The Pentagon assesses China's military power annually

July 12, 2002
By Nick Childs

US defence officials have confirmed that a new Pentagon report to Congress for the first time calls into question China's commitment to a peaceful settlement of the Taiwan question.

One US official described China's strategy towards Taiwan as coercive

The report - which is expected to be published later on Friday - is an assessment of China's military power and also focuses on the country's ability to threaten other regional powers.

The Pentagon is required to submit an assessment of China's military power to Congress each year.

But, because of the change in administration, this is the first report since May 2000 - in other words, the first under the Bush administration.

Mixed signals

One US official described China's strategy towards Taiwan as coercive.

It is clear the Pentagon remains very wary of China's military modernisation plans

The Pentagon's particular concerns are the build-up of short-range ballistic missiles opposite Taiwan.

It is also concerned about China's naval expansion, including modern submarines which could be used to blockade Taiwan, and Russian-built destroyers armed with missiles specifically designed to take on US aircraft-carriers.

President Bush came to office describing China as a strategic competitor, and there was a tense diplomatic stand-off last year when a Chinese fighter collided with a US surveillance plane.

In fact, the signals on US-Chinese relations since have been mixed.

There have been signs of co-operation on the US-led campaign against the al-Qaeda network since 11 September, and a senior US defence official was in China last month to look at ways of improving military ties.

But it is clear the Pentagon remains very wary of China's military modernisation plans.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/asia-pacific/newsid_2125000/2125617.stm